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Raising the poor out of the dust

Text: Psalm 113 
14 August 2005

(I) GOD’S CONCERN FOR THE PITIFUL PREDICAMENT OF THE POOR

“The poor out of the dust” Psalm 113:7

“The needy out of the ash heap…” Psalm 113:7

1. Dust filled lives – Living by the roadside

2. Desperately seeking food from rubbish heaps

3. Depending on begging cf. 1 Sam. 2:8

4. Deserving more in life – The Lord seeks to raise them out of the dust

(II) THE FACT OF GOD’S LOVE FOR THE POOR

1. The love of God expressed

“The great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, And loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.” Deut. 10:17-18

a. Love shown to the fatherless, the widow and the stranger.

b. Ways by which the Lord shows His love

i. No partiality

ii. Administering of justice

iii. The provision of basic necessities

2. The magnanimity of the Lord seen

“Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” Psalm 113:5-6

a. The Lord humbling Himself

b. The Lord concern about the lives of those on earth

(III) RESULT OF THE LORD’S LOVE FOR THE POOR

1. The exaltation of the poor

“He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
That He may seat him with princes – with the princes of His people” Psalm 113:7-8

“To set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory” 1 Sam. 2:8

2. The glorification of His name

“From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised” Psalm 113:3

(IV) FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD IN LOVING THE POOR

“And love the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger,…” Deut. 10:19

1. In humbling ourselves

2. In not despising the poor

3. In providing for their physical needs

4. In helping the poor find significance / honour in life.