GOD OUR HOPE

PSALMS 9:1

A. "LORD, THOU HAST BEEN OUR DWELLING PLACE IN ALL GENERATIONS"
  1. This testimony by Moses is most timely:
    1. As far as we know, he never really enjoyed a home as we understand it
    2. From the time he fled Egypt to the time of his death, he dwelt in tents, moving from place to place
  2. It is, therefore, most fitting:
    1. That he calls God our home
    2. He was that to him almost all the days of Moses life to him B. GOD OUR HOME
  3. How true and how sweeping is the testimony of the servant of the Lord:
    1. Ever since our first parents were driven out of their Paradise home, men have been pilgrims and sojourners in this present world
    2. That was the testimony of the Patriarch Jacob to Pharaoh - Gen. 47:9; 6:4
    3. This sentiment was expressed by all God's children that sojourned in this present world - Heb. 11:14-16
  4. Home:
    1. Home sweet home, one of the most endearing words in the English vocabulary
    2. The home is the father's kingdom and the mother's castle, and the children's paradise
    3. But for most of us what we call home is mostly imaginary, temporary at best; it does not last too long; and it, as well as we, fades away
    4. Our homes are often darkened by sickness, sorrow and pain - death ends our pilgrimage
  5. God our home:
    1. Paul says to the Athenians, "For in Him we live, and move and have our being" - Acts 17:28
    2. "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" - Job 12:10
    3. "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort" - Ps. 71:3
    4. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" - Ps. 91:1,9
    5. "The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms" - Deut. 33:27 C. WHEN GOD IS OUR HOME
  6. Home is a place of relationship:
    1. God is our Father - Matt. 6:9-11; Rom. 8:15
    2. This relationship makes His house our house, and His home our home - "In My Father's house are many mansions - John 14:1-3
  7. Home is a place of security:
    1. Where we cast away our cares and fears; this makes the home of God's children the joy and the dream of a life time
    2. "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me" - Ps. 23:1-6
    3. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" - Ps. 9:1; 63:7; 121:5
  8. Home is the place of personal interest:
    1. Each one is concerned for the well-being and happiness of the other members in the house-hold
    2. It is full of mutual love-service - nothing is paid for save it be in love and care
  9. Home is a place of rest:
    1. "Come unto me, and I will give you rest" - Matt. 11:28
    2. "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have rest" - John 16:33
  10. What does this mean? How can God be our home?
    1. It is evident that since the universe is the home of God and since we are his children, we actually dwell in His home
    2. It means that God provides for us; He shelters us, and He gives us eternal security
  11. Who are they that dwell in God?
    1. They are they who dwell in love - I John 4:16; He who doeth not love his brother cannot dwell in God
    2. They who possess the Spirit of God - I John 4:13
    3. The Psalmist states the case of the saints, who dwell in God in these words, "He that walketh uprightly...shall never be moved" - Ps. 15:1-5


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