Psalms 112:7
The Bible teaches us to trust in the Lord and have a fixed heart, which gives us peace, security, and stability, and helps us to handle tragedy and evil tidings.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of having a fixed heart in the face of evil tidings, highlighting the pervasive dangers in our homes, families, finances, and the world. He contrasts those who live in fear and are shattered by bad news with those who maintain their composure and trust in the Lord. A fixed heart, anchored in faith and trust in God, allows believers to navigate life's challenges with resilience and hope. Smith encourages the congregation to trust in God's love, presence, and ultimate plan for good, regardless of circumstances.
Text
"THE FIXED HEART"
Intro: This psalm open with Heb. word "Hallelujah" then it speaks of God's
blessed (happy) man who "fears" God and delights greatly in Him commandments.
I. "HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID OF EVIL TIDINGS."
A. These are days of evil tidings.
1. Your home isn't safe.
a. Maniacs running loose lighting fires whenever a strong dry
wind blows.
b. Buglaries are increasing at spiraling rate.
c. Catastrophic earthquakes likely.
2. Your family isn't safe.
a. Sick men released by our courts drive around neighborhoods
looking for women to attack or children to expose themselves to.
b. You are warned by the police not to walk alone at night.
3. You money isn't safe.
a. A thousand fraudulent schemes.
b. What you might save through prudence and sacrifice the govt. will
take.
c. Inflation is eroding constantly the value of the dollar.
4. The world isn't safe.
a. Syrian troops are massed at Jordan's border.
b. Russian troops are killing the Afganistans and are massed at
Poland's border.
c. Super powers with super weapons threaten to annihilate each other.
B. The only way to escape evil tidings is to die young.
1. Your death becomes evil tidings to your family.
2. As a minister we must often bear evil tidings.
a. At the request of Doctors or police.
C. Some live in constant fear of evil tidings.
1. When they come they are shattered.
a. They go into hysterics, they rant and rave they get drunk or
commit suicide.
D. Others seem to take it in stride.
1. They quietly go around picking up the pieces and prepare to start over.
2. How can they handle tragedy so well?
II. "THEIR HEART IS FIXED."
A. How important it is to have a fixed heart.
1. Jacob in his dying prophecy to his sons.
a. Rueben, my firstborn...
b. You will not excel. Why?
c. Unstable as water.
2. He lacked a fixed heart.
3. Some have a heart towards God part of the time toward world the rest.
a. Evil tidings are a disaster.
B. On what is the heart fixed? "Trusting in the LORD."
1. Come what may, I trust in the Lord.
a. I know He loves me.
b. I know He is with me.
c. I know He is for me.
d. I know that "all things" work together for good.
e. I know He will sustain me.
Sermon Outline
- HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID OF EVIL TIDINGS
- THEIR HEART IS FIXED
- Importance of a fixed heart
- On what is the heart fixed?
- Some live in constant fear of evil tidings
- Others seem to take it in stride
- Trusting in the LORD
Key Quotes
“The only way to escape evil tidings is to die young.” — Chuck Smith
“Come what may, I trust in the Lord.” — Chuck Smith
“I know He loves me, I know He is with me, I know He is for me, and I know that all things work together for good.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We can handle tragedy and evil tidings by trusting in the Lord and having a fixed heart.
- Trusting in the Lord gives us peace, security, and stability, and helps us to see that all things work together for good.
- Having a fixed heart means being stable and secure, regardless of the circumstances.