FROM THE HEIGHTS OF HIS HEAVENLY SANCTUARY
PSALM 102:12-22
Key verse: v. 19
Introduction:
Looking out like a watcher from his tower, what was the object of this leaning from the battlements of heaven? Why this intent gaze upon the race of men?
The answer is full of astounding mercy; the Lord does not look upon mankind to note their grandees, and observe the doings of their nobles, but “to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death” v. 20.
Consider the message that the Psalmist is sending to us today through this inspired psalm of the Word of God.
I. FROM HEAVEN THE LORD LOOKS DOWN
A. The Lord is looking down from the MERCYSEAT, Psalms 14:2, “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.”
1. He is not looking from an earthly viewpoint, John 3:12, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 31- He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”
2. The Lord was looking from the spiritual [heavenly] viewpoint, John 3:13-17, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14-And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15-That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17- For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
B. He looks down from the HEIGHT of Glory, Psalms 24:7-8, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8-Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”
C. It is the King of Glory that looks upon man, 1 Corinthians 2:8, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
II. WHAT ATTRACTS HIS NOTICE MOST IN THE WORLD?
A. To hear the groaning of the prisoner, v. 20; Psalms 79:11, “Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;”
1. The Lord heard the cry of the Hebrews in bondage to Egypt, Exodus 2:23, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.”
2. He saw the Gentiles in bondage to their sin, Ephesians 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3-Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
B. To loose those appointed to death, v. 20; Psalms 146:7, “Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:”
1. To relieve them from their condemnation, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
2. To give them redemption and forgiveness of sins, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
3. All of this for His glory, Ephesians 1:12, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
III. THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH HE NOTICES MAN
A. To declare His name, v. 21; Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
B. To declare His great mercy to those in need of it, Romans 15:9, “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”
1. Zion is now in distress, but there will come a time for her relief, v. 13, “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”
2. All nations shall serve the Lord, Psalms 72:11, “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”
3. His dominion shall be from sea to sea, Psalms 72:8-9, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9-They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.”
CONCLUSION
The Lord looked down from heaven and saw man’s great need of His mercy. From Adam until now the Lord’s mercy has been generously given to us. Yet man continues to be rebellious and unthankful.
God’s patience continues as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”