THEME: THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S GOODNESS AND ABUNDANCE
TEXT: PSALM 65:9-13
TOPIC: THE LORD’S GOODNESS AND ABUNDANCE
I. Introduction
Psalm 65 was written by David and reminds us of God’s abundant provisions. We can be thankful for all His blessings. This Psalm was speaking directly to Israel. This Psalm begins by the words “to you our vows will be fulfilled.” Here the children of Israel are acknowledging God that He is the only one who deserves their vows, and that the vows made to Him must be fulfilled.
In Old Testament times vows were taken very serious (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). When a person made a vow, s/he was obligated to keep it, even when a parent made it for their child such as Samson, Hannah with Samuel, and Mary with Jesus.
The vows being fulfilled in this verse is the promise to praise God for all His answers to prayer. Israel at this time was a model for what God intended and He therefore is blessing them just as He promised.
II. Exegesis
God visits the earth, waters it and greatly enriches it. He cares for the earth and makes sure it has what it needs. He provides rivers of water, and grain for the earth so that the man He has put on earth may be nourished. The coming of abundant rain to water the crops is literally the blessing of life rather than death.
When a farmer cultivates land, he does nothing more to it than break up the ground, and plough, and sow, and then lets it lay. But God must always attend to it with rain and heat, and must do everything to make it grow and prosper while the farmer lies at home and sleeps.
The earth is barren until God acts upon it. God is faithful to send the rain and what is necessary for the cultivation of the earth, bringing forth a wonderful harvest. So, God’s people should pray and expect God to move upon both His Church and the world, knowing that they will be barren unless God acts upon them.
In Isaiah 55:10-11, we see this analogy between the fruitfulness of the earth and the effectiveness of God’s work, especially through His Word: For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
David was only concerned for God’s work in bringing forth grain. David wasn’t a fool; he knew that man had his work to do.
When David speaks of “You crown the year with your goodness”, he is speaking of a full and plentiful harvest which is the crown of the year; and this springs from the unmerited goodness of God.
When there is bounty and overflow with abundance the hills rejoice, they are clothed with gladness. This is to mean that they gird themselves with exultation. They sing songs of joy and thanksgiving in praise to God.
David looked out over the land and saw hills covered with livestock and valleys full of grain. It seemed that creation itself shouted for joy and sang to God. What an overflow? This year, let this be our prayer that we shall walk in plenty of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. We shall abound in every good thing.
When God blesses us such that we manifest abundance we shall be happy and joyful before Him because of His great power and care for us. David understood that God’s children have reasons to praise God, in addition to the even greater reasons of atonement and the forgiveness of sins.
III. Conclusion
The scriptures read to us (Psalm 65:9-13) celebrate bounteous crops made possible for Yahweh’s provision of rain.
- David may have intended this psalm for a first fruits observance or a harvest festival.
- It could have been used in any of the major Jewish festivals.
- It could have been prompted by relief from a drought, which the people interpreted as punishment for their sins.
I conclude by declaring that the rains that God will provide this year will bring about great prosperity and plenty.
He will satisfy us with long life
He will cause us to see His salvation
He will satisfy us in the morning with His unfailing love
We shall experience divine speed for advancement
We shall experience shocking breakthroughs
We shall experience uncommon favour
We shall experience divine health and healing
We shall walk in victory
God will protect us and preserve us
We shall experience unseasonal fruitfulness and harvest
We shall experience multiple opening of doors
We shall experience blessings of Abraham
We shall possess our inheritance
We shall experience sevenfold restoration, lifting and promotion
We shall experience double grace, double anointing and glory.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Shalom