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PSALM 112:7

"THE FIXED HEART"

Intro: This is a day of evil tidings; War in Viet Nam - trouble in Middle East - China
       detonating  H Bombs - drug usage increasing at alarming rate. Our government is
       incapable and weak, earthquake may soon come of great magnitude. Is it possible
       to face all of this and stay sober and not panic? Relation of Ps. 111 & 112
       Aerostics 22 lines each line, begins with letter in alphabet. Vs. 11:10, & 112:1.

I. THE QUALITIES OF THE MAN.
        A. He is a God fearing man vs. 1.
                1. He believes in God & knows He is over all.
                2. He has learned to say "The Lord reigneth."
        B. He loves God's Word vs. 1.
                1. His knowledge of the Word keeps him abreast of the hour.
                2. When he reads Russia's threats against Israel.
                3. When he hears of earthquakes or famines or pestilence.
        C. He is gracious vs. 4.
                1. As Christians we are not to be rude or curt or smart.
        D. He is full of compassion & righteousness vs. 4.
                1. Love is the essential sign of the Spirit filled life.
                2. What is His command - "Love one another" I John 3.
                3. We are righteous through faith in Christ Phil. 3.
                4. His righteousness endureth forever vs. 3
        E. He is generous yet wise vs. 5.
                1. Ready to help one in need.
        F. Generous toward the poor vs. 9.
        G. He is a hated man.
                1. A man may be known by his enemies as well as his friends.

II. THE SECRET OF HIS FEARLESSNESS.
        A. His heart is fixed.
                1. Convictions from which he cannot be separated.
                2. Faith which cannot be moved.
                3. Sometimes accused of narrowness, but he is strong.
                4. Courage is an affair of the heart not muscle.
                        a. Jacob in blessing children.
                                "Reuben, thou art my first born, my might, the beginning
                                 of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the
                                 excellency of power, unstable as water thou shalt
                                 not excel."
        B. His heart is fixed "Trusting in the Lord."
                1. He is not trusting in himself.
                2. He relates everything to His relationship to God.
                3. He is not confident in circumstances.
                        a. A man who trusts that things will work out a certain way
                           rendered helpless in day of evil tidings.
                        b. We know God is behind circumstances.

Ill. WHO IS THE LORD IN WHOM HE TRUSTS?
        A. Ps. 111.
                1. The works of the Lord are great vs. 2.
                        a. His Work is honorable and glorious vs. 3.
                2. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. vs. 4.
                3. Faithful vs. 5.
                4. True & righteous.
        B. The man whose heart is fixed in such of God becomes a distributing
           center for God.

IV. MARK THIS MAN IN THE DAY OF EVIL TIDINGS.
        A. He receives word that his son was killed - not callous, the wound is full
           of pain but no panic, no trembling.
                1. Death is not the final news.
        B. Evil tidings are not the only tidings we hear. Obadiah and his weird prophesy
           against Edom. "We have heard tidings from the Lord."