Sunday, July 7, 2013 pm
STUDIES IN PSALMS
The Lord Reigns, Let The Earth Rejoice
Psalm 97
a.
The Lord (Jehovah) reigns (1). This is a
continued theme in our study of the psalms.
And as often as it is repeated in scripture, we ought to remind
ourselves of that.
NOTE also that there is no limit to His reign.
He reigns in spite of the ungodliness that is so prevalent, His
rejection by so many, no matter what man does to this planet, etc.
How troubled is this world because man refuses to acknowledge His reign!
Friends, His kingdom has come! (Col. 1:13)
Heb. 12:28 tells us, “Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom
which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God
acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
b.
Let the earth rejoice,
multitudes of isles (coastlands) be glad – again, we have emphasized this throughout our studies.
As nature takes its course, it declares the glory of God (Psa.
19:1-4)
c.
Clouds and darkness surround Him a description of His awesomeness (consider the scene
at Mt. Sinai)
d.
Righteousness and
justice are the foundation of His throne – again we have seen this continually -
He is both righteous (good and right in His dealings) and just (which
means that He must be fair in His judgments).
Everything about God is just including the sending of His Son to die for
us – Heb. 1:8-9 describes the “scepter of righteousness” that applies to
our Lord and His kingdom.
e.
Fire before Him
– a description
of His unstoppable power. In
this psalm we see examples of how our heavenly Father and our Lord is
sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
Fire before the Lord was seen at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:16-20), in the
destruction of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2), in devouring the
rebellious followers of Korah (Num 26:10), etc.
In this, I cannot help but consider how one day we will stand before
Him. When the time comes,
the elements will melt with fervent heat and all that is in the earth
will be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10-12)
f.
Lightenings light the world, the earth trembles, mountains melt like wax,
etc.
Nature itself is subject to Him
(4-5) and manifests His awesome power!
Whether it be a powerful storm, an earthquake or an erupting
volcano, man quickly pales in the presence of the power of God.
Rom. 1:20 again notes that nature itself declares the eternal power and
godheard.
g.
The heavens declare His righteousness and people see His glory
(6) – Psa. 19:1, 50:6, “Let the
heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge.”
Someone noted, is it not interesting that inanimate earth knows its
place before the creator, but mankind, created in His image, far too
often refuses to bow?
a.
In our lesson of Psalm
96 we noted the folly of true idolatry as recorded in Jeremiah 10.
Continually the prophets challenged the folly of Idolatry.
Isa. 41:21-24 a challenge for idols to prophesy.
They cannot do it.
Isa. 44:9-20 speaks of the folly of one growing a tree and using half of
it to warm himself and half of it he carves into an image and bows
before it. NOTICE Isa.
44:18-20, “They do not know nor
understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And
their hearts, so that they cannot understand. And no one considers in
his heart, Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have
burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its
coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; And shall I make the rest of it
an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” He feeds on
ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his
soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?””
IN our text, the call is to consider the greatness of God and flee from
idolatry.
b.
Let ALL who serve idols
(carved images) be put to shame
i.
Real idolatry – as we
just mentioned. God will NOT
share the glory due Him with anything of this creation!
ii.
Imagery – God doesn’t
need images of any type.
Don’t forget Acts 17:24-25.
Friends that is why we don’t encourage religious jewelry, and why relics
and icons should not be a part of our worship to God.
He doesn’t need it.
HE wants worship from the heart.
iii.
Anything that stands in
the way of worshipping God – covetousness, (Col. 3:5) – the love of
power, fame, etc.
c.
Worship Him, all you gods – Idols are nothing – like the earth and all that is in it,
one day it will bow before Him.
This also could have reference to one who thinks too highly of
himself (as if he is god).
d.
Zion, the daughters of
Judah rejoice because of Your judgments – the righteous, rather than following Idols, will hear of
Him and rejoice in Him.
e.
He is most high above
all the earth, exalted far above all gods – while this seems repetitive of what we have discussed, let
us note that He is MOST high above all – expressions used to describe
our King, Jesus include
being “far above all principality and power and might and dominion…”
(Eph. 1:20-21). Having died
for us and being raised, God has “Highly exalted Him…” (Phil. 2:9-11).
While this is descriptive of our Lord, it would also be
descriptive of our Heavenly Father to whom even Jesus was in submission.
“For thus says the High and Lofty
One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and
holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the
spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
(Isaiah 57:15)
a.
Hate evil! Despise it.
Perhaps this is a continuation of describing the reaction of the
righteous to idolatry, but it also applies in all things.
We are to hate evil!
Romans 12:9 tells us to “Let love
be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
James 4:7-10 calls for us to submit to God, resist the devil and cleanse
our hands and purify our hearts.
Prov. 8:13 says, “The fear of the
Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the
perverse mouth I hate.”
Prov. 6:16-19 – describes 7 things the Lord hates.
Do we hate these things as well?
What is the motive that prompts us to hate evil?
IT is loving the Lord.
James 1:12 speaks of the man who endures temptation.
When approved he will receive the crown promised to those who
love Him.
The one who loves the Lord will keep His commandments (1 John 5:2-3)
Psa. 119:104 tells us that through the precepts of God we get
understanding and therefore we hate every false way.
Considering this, should it not be clear that we strive to love God with
our all? 2 Tim. 2:19,
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The
Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of
Christ depart from iniquity’.”
b.
God preserves and
delivers His saints from the wicked
– 1 Pet. 1:4-5 speaks of us looking for an inheritance and that we are “Kept
by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in
the last time.”
2 Pet 2:9 says He knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation
c.
Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright of heart.
The way this is written we find that light and gladness are gifts
from God as we stand for Him and hate evil.
Clearly the light here is good and that which comes from God as opposed
to the darkness of the world.
But what is interesting is to consider how we have light, even in
this dark world. For the
godly, we sometimes face dark times that seem hopeless, but deep down
inside of us is the light that gives us hope!
Our task is to bring out that light (cf. Matt. 5:14-16) and joy,
even as we face the troubling times.
I am reminded of Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi, yet they
sang songs of praise (Acts 16:25).
Peter and the apostles rejoiced being counted worthy to suffer
for Christ in Jerusalem (Acts 5:41-42).
Paul rejoiced in His suffering.
Remember what Jesus said, “I have
come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in ME should not
abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)
d.
Rejoice in the Lord, you
righteous
– certainly they will (all others will not) – Phil. 4:4
e.
Give thanks at the
remembrance of His holy name
(or holiness) – as the psalmist concludes this writing he challenges us
that whenever we remember the greatness of our God it ought to lead to
gratitude.
2 Cor. 4:15, “For all things are
for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause
thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.”
Phil. 4:6, “Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”
Colossians 2:6–7, “As you
therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted
and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been
taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Here is my question, HOW often do we remember the holiness of our God
and the impact it has had in our lives.
Having said that, do we thank Him enough?