TEXT: Psalm 106:12-15

Introduction:

1. Psalm 106 is one of 9 “Hallelujah” Psalms. They begin and end with “Praise the Lord” or “Hallelujah” - depending on translation.

2. In between are sad details of the sins of Israel and patience of God.

3. Psalm 106

   1. Sins in Egypt – 6-12

   2. Sins in the wilderness – 13-15

   3. Golden Calf – 19-23

   4. Despising the promised land – 24-27

   5. Iniquity of Baal of Peor – 28-31

4. The psalm is summarized in what happened right after crossing the Red Sea and escaping from Egypt – (12-15)

5. God gave them their request – but sent leanness to their soul.

6. Just because God grants your desire does not mean that God approves.

Examples from the Bible

1. Jacob wanted the birthright that belonged to Esau – Genesis 27:18-29 Jacob got what he wanted – and spent the rest of his life being deceived by others – Rachel and Leah, Laben, death of Joseph

2. Give us a king – Rejected Samuel, rejected God, warned they did not want this – lived to regret it – Saul turned out to be like the kings around them, Solomon taxed them to get rich, Jereboam split the nation

3. Lot – want the green grass of Sodom – vexed his soul, lost his wife

4. Gehazi – servant of Elisha – coveted money from Naaman – wound up with his leprosy

5. Jewish leaders – wanted Jesus dead – His blood be on us and our children – and it was

Be Careful what you Ask For

1. Want a higher paying job?

   1. What are you willing to sacrifice – family, morals, principles

   2. Is the cost worth the gain?

   3. Where is your real treasure? Matthew 6:19-21

2. Approval of men – Popularity

   1. Are you willing to pay the price?

   2. If you do not stand for something, you will fall for everything.

3. Perfect spouse

   1. Perfect = physical appearance, good looks, popular, athletic

   2. Spend rest of your life with a spouse who cares more about themselves than you.

Leanness to the Soul

1. Laodicea – Revelation 3:14-18

   1. Center of Emperor worship

   2. Known for its school of medicine

   3. Produced sheep with glossy-black wool garments

   4. Revelation 3:14-18 ¹⁴“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—¹⁸I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

2. Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11

3. Demas – 2 Timothy 4:10 – forsook Paul “for this present world”

Conclusion:

1. Be careful what you desire, beg for, pray for, request.

2. You will reap what you sow – Galatians 6:7-10

Outline adapted from David Padfield