Christian Living

Things Too High

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

“LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” Psalm 131:1 (KJV)

Pride, and/or arrogance, haughtiness is found in far too many of us.  There is no room for it in the heart and life of a child of God.

Sadly it is found in the religious, and the faithful alike.  We can pride ourselves on the knowledge we have of God’s word, Christian history, or even preaching and teaching abilities.  When it comes to God the greatest thing is to know God, and to be known by Him.

For any of us to think we can know all about God is prideful, and just plain foolish.  The Christian desires to know God better than we do; however, we cannot foolishly think we could ever know all that there is to know about Him.

The greatest matter is to dwell in our relationship with Him through His Son Jesus; and to know that it is by His grace He saves us (Ephesians 2:8-10); and it is by His grace that He fills us with His Spirit that we may walk with Him, and glorify His name.

When we are walking, living in the Spirit we will not exercise in things too high for ourselves.

Building the House

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“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalm 127:1 (KJV)

You are a house.  You house a spirit; your spirit from which you get drive, ambition, dreams, and even successes and failures.  That spirit is dead to God though.

We can spend our lives doing “good” things.  We can feed the hungry, clothe the poor, provide them shelter from the cold and the heat; all “good” things, yet not have God the LORD building the house.  These are labors in vanity.  They will profit nothing for eternity.

The Psalmist says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it”.  Jesus said,

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

Kind of makes me wonder if Jesus did not have Psalm 127 in mind as He spoke these words.

Neither, can a guard watch a city effectively without the LORD who keeps it.

Stop trying to build your own life, and turn it over to the LORD.  Start by trusting Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour.  Then, go and feed the hungry, cloth the poor, and call them to repentance in faith of Christ Jesus.

Captivity

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“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.” Psalm 126:1-2 (KJV)

The verses from Psalms whether written following the Egyptian captivity and the people’s deliverance, or the Babylonian captivity is of little importance.  Zion had been taken captive, and you yourself may be in captivity as I write.

I am a captive.  I will let you know in a moment what I am a captive of.  The people of Zion, Israel, if you will were captive for 70 years in Babylon, and when their deliverance came just as God had said, then, they were rejoicing.  “We were like them that dream” the Psalmist says.

It seemed almost unbelievable.  Are you a captive today.  Does sin hold you captive?  Are you doing things you know to be wrong, and then feel guilt following the act? Maybe no guilt, but you know it is wrong?  You are a captive to your own sins.  It rules you.  It controls you.

There is freedom from sin.  Sin is a horrible master.

I told you moments ago that I am captive.  What am I captive to?  To love, mercy and grace of God shown to me through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Through Him I am free from sins bondage, sins weight, drudgery, guilt, condemnation, and fear.  I am captive to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Son of God, and God the Son.  He set me free.  My mouth is filled with laughter, and my tongue with singing unto Him.

The LORD has done great things for all those who are captive to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Unmovable

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“They that trust in the LORD shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.” Psalm 125:1 (KJV)

I will let Charles Spurgeon do the commentary on this verse:

“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion.” The emphasis lies upon the object of their trust, namely, Jehovah the Lord. What a privilege to be allowed to repose in God! How condescending is Jehovah to become the confidence of his people! To trust elsewhere is vanity; and the more implicit such misplaced trust becomes the more bitter will be the ensuing disappointment; but to trust in the living God is sanctified common sense which needs no excuse, its result shall be its best vindication. There is no conceivable reason why we should not trust in Jehovah, and there is every possible argument for so doing; but, apart from all argument, the end will prove the wisdom of the confidence. The result of faith is not occasional and accidental; its blessing comes, not to some who trust, but to all who trust in the Lord. Trusters in Jehovah shall be as fixed, firm, and stable as the mount where David dwelt; and where the ark abode. To move mount Zion was impossible, the mere supposition was absurd. “Which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.” Zion was the image of eternal steadfastness, – this hill which, according to the Hebrew, “sits to eternity,” neither bowing down nor moving to and fro. Thus doth the trusting worshipper of Jehovah enjoy a restfulness which is the mirror of tranquillity; and this not without cause, for his hope is sure, and of his confidence he can never be ashamed. As the Lord sitteth King for ever, so do his people sit enthroned in perfect peace when their trust in him is firm. This is, and is to be our portion; we are, we have been, we shall be as steadfast as the hill of God. Zion cannot be removed, and does not remove; so the people of God can neither be moved passively nor actively, by force from without or fickleness from within. Faith in God is a settling and establishing virtue; he who by his strength setteth fast the mountains, by that same power stays the hearts of them that trust in him. This steadfastness will endure “for ever,” and we may be assured therefore that no believer shall perish either in life or in death, in time or in eternity. We trust in an eternal God, and our safety shall be eternal.
From the TREASURY OF DAVID e-Sword edition

Put your trust in the Immutable, unmoving, unchanging GOD through His Son Jesus Christ.

Over Our Soul

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“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.” Psalm 124:1-5 (KJV)

The LORD that is Jehovah is on our side when we are overwhelmed; when it seems that life is too much to bear.

When it seems that the world has turned against me, then, I know that the LORD is by me, with me, and in me.  The thing is; I am also on His side.  I cannot defend God; nor does He need or depend on any defense I might have for Him.

Prideful and haughty people may rise against us; the storms and horrible events of life may be kindled against us; the flooding events may overwhelm us; “If it had not been the LORD who was [and is] on our side…”

He Dwells in the Heavens

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“Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens.” Psalm 123:1 (KJV)

To the child of God who reads this verse it should be quite obvious who the subject is.  He dwells in the heavens.  There is only one.

It is to Him that the child directs his/her gaze.  It is to Him that the child of God places their trust, and receives comfort, peace, rest, and salvation.

Yes, the Holy One dwells in the heavens, and He also dwells in the hearts of His children.

Make sure today that He not only dwells in the heavens, but that He also dwells within your heart; and that He shows through.

I Was Glad…

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“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1 (KJV)

To the Israelite the house of God was the Tabernacle in the wilderness during their journey to the Promised Land after deliverance out of Egypt;  it was Shiloh up intil David was king; and after David became king the ark of the covenant was moved to Jerusalem, so that was the house of God.

The “House of God” is the place where God dwells.  In all of God’s Word the plan of God is that He dwell in the hearts of His people.  That was impossible with a holy God.  Yet, God Himself made it possible.  When Jesus Christ walked on earth He was and is the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).  He was without sin in the midst of the sinful, the vile, the corrupt; He remained incorruptible.

Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ when we trust in Him He comes to live within us in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Those who know Jesus, and are known of Him have only to go to His Word, and hear the Holy Spirit within themselves to worship God.

The follower of Christ still desires to go and meet in places of worship with God’s people.  We call those places “Houses of worship”, even “House of God”; and that is not wrong.  Rest assured that where ever you are as a believer; a follower of Jesus Christ He is there with you.

Like the Psalmist says, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”  Let us always be glad to go into the place of worship.  Like the writer of Hebrews has said,

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

If you missed joining with brothers and sisters in Christ yesterday, or have for several weeks; be sure you commit yourself to renewing that bond next Sunday.

My Help

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“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

The New King James Bible and newer versions place verse one as a question, and it could be meant that way.  “From whence cometh my help?”  Where does our help come from?

For the Hebrew when they were away from Jerusalem to look to the “Hills” where Jerusalem was was to look to the LORD because that is where the ark of the covenant was, after David began to reign as their king.

The hills were seen also by many in the era of time as a source of safety, and strength.  However, true safety and strength, and help comes from the LORD.

The LORD made the heaven and the earth, and everything within it.  All creation is made by Him.  Why should the people He has made seek anywhere else but unto Him?

Are you fear and afraid today?  Go to the LORD.  Our you feeling sickly and weak?  God to the One who has made all things, and holds all things together (Colossians 1:16-17).

My help comes from the Lord Jesus Christ who bled and died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of all the world; who was buried, and rose again bodily from the grave; and He is returning to set things right in this world ridding it of all that is evil, unjust and unrighteous.  That is the One from whom my help comes.

In Distress

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“In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:1-2 (KJV)

We all experience distress.  Distress is defined as; “great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.”  It had the same meaning to the Psalmist; probably David.

Being slandered, falsely accused; we have all had it happen one time or another.  If you have not; then you will.  It is not pleasant.  It can make you want to just curl up in a corner, and never see anyone again.  That is what the culprit who spreads it wants.

Christian, when it happens to you do as David.  Cry unto the LORD.  He will hear you.  Look the enemy, the liar, the culprit in the face; in the midst of others, and make them come clean.

The LORD will hear your cry.  He will deliver you.  Liars, slanderers, can never stand up to the truth.

One thing for certain; Christian, those things best not be coming out of your lips or mouth concerning someone else.  Be an encouragement even to those who might be  your foes, your enemies; but especially to those who are your friends.

In your distress cry unto the LORD.  In your distress praise the LORD.  In your distress stand your ground, and pray for those who offend you.

The Happy People

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“ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:1-2 (KJV)

The happiness of the world is fleeting.  Many people go along searching for happiness, and find what they think is “Happiness”, then……. it is gone.  Like a puff of smoke, a gust of wind; and it is done.  The search begins all over again.

The Psalmist has given us 176 verses in Psalm 119.  They all show us the way of the “Blessed” or the truely “Happy” people.

Happy  people walk in the way that is God’s.  They are the undefiled, not by their own decree, but by God’s decree, and that is by the blood of the sacrificed Lamb of God who is Jesus Christ.  These happy people find themselves in possession of the law of the LORD within their hearts, desiring to live for the LORD in all His holiness.

Happy people keep His testimonies, and seek Him with a “whole heart”.  That is a heart that is right with God; a redeemed heart, a clean heart, free from guilt shame, condemnation.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“There is therefor now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1

and he writes also,

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1

Happy people have found true happiness through God’s own decree.  “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him.”  Matthew 17:5   You will not be happy until you do.

Mercy Endureth Forever

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“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 118:1 (KJV)

The LORD is worthy of our thanks.  He is good.  He is great.  He is awesome.  I looked out over the Grand Canyon in Arizona; and said, “That is awesome”, and wept at the spectacle of its beauty.  I then thought of how much greater God is; and wept at His greatness being even greater.

I am thankful that His mercy is forever, and that it endures the trials of life.  It endures my sins, my fears, my failures.  God’s mercy; the LORD’S mercy is forever.

You experienced it this morning.  You may not have thought about it, but you did.  Is your heart still beating?  If it is that is God’s mercy.  Are you still breathing?  That too is God’s mercy.  If you do not know Him He has given you another day, another chance to place your faith and trust in the work of His Son Jesus Christ.

Believe Him, and thank Him for His mercy; and His grace.

Loving the LORD

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“I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 (KJV)

Why do you love the LORD?  Why do I love the LORD?  It has been said that if you can state why you love then, you will love more deeply, more passionately.  To me the ultimate reason is what John the apostle stated,

“We love Him, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

We love Him, because He sent His Son Jesus to die for us.  We love Him because He hears us when we pray.  We love Him because we know that when we call on Him He will hear us.

He will not hear us because we are without sin, or because we are some special person; He hears us because of His Son.

Not Unto Us…

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“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.” Psalm 115:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is known to be a song read and sung during the Passover, remembering the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

For the Christian today this ought to be our prayer that God be glorified; not us.  We have a lot of glory seekers in the “Christian” realm; maybe we should say  the “Christian” kingdom; where Christianity is a religion, not a relationship with Christ.

In these United States of America God is no longer feared; but mocked, even by many professing themselves “Christian”.  It is no wonder God is mocked when men and women who proclaim themselves “Pastors”, “Christian” find themselves approving of what God disapproves; approving what God calls an abomination.

Let God be true, but every man a liar (Romans 3:4).

O my prayer is that God will show Himself strong in me (2 Chronicles 16:9); and that the name of Jesus Christ Son of God, and God the Son would be glorified over and above the chaotic mess this world is in; that our nation is in.  That our nations leaders either get right with God, repent of their sins or that God remove them in His way and time.  Not by any hand of man, woman or men; but by the hand, and power of God.

That the Body of Christ rise up in faith; and begin to speak the Word of God as it is Truth without any mixture of error.  We may live in dark times, but the light of Jesus Christ shines brightly in the dark.  Sin will be revealed.  Christians will be revealed by their stand on the truth of God’s Word.

Christian; stand today, and glorify Jesus Christ.  “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

Boasting; More Boasting

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“Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.” Psalm 113:1 (KJV)

I have never met anyone who likes arrogance in a man or woman.  I think we do not like to think of it in God either; but God is worthy of boasting.  He is the Great One.  He is worthy of praise and glory.

We glory in ourselves when we do good at something.  You may say you do not; but I would say to you that is vain, false humility; which is not humility at all.  We sometimes glory, are prideful of our “Humility”.

The Maker of us all, and of all things, needs not be humble.  He glories in Himself, and rightly so.  We are to glory in Him, and in and through us He is glorified.  Maybe this is why so many hate God, and even choose not to believe in Him.  Even in these God will be glorified.

Do you find yourself boasting of your accomplishments?  Rather boast of the greatness of God.  Boast of His mercy.  Boast of His grace.  Boast of His power.  If you have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus, then boast of that; and glory in the cross of Jesus and His burial and His resurrection.

True Happiness

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“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 (KJV)

Happiness from the world in which we live is fleeting.  We can laugh and be “happy” one minute, then, sadly defeated, depressed, and discouraged the next.  Where we were “happy” for an hour or two; we are the other for days and weeks on end.

Let me give you three things that lead to true happiness;

  1.  Fear the LORD; and that means you want to do nothing to anger Him, but you live in love for Him;
  2.   Praise the LORD;  you make much of Him, and little of yourself.  He is your reason for being, for living.  Lift high the glorious name of Jehovah, through His only begotten Son Jesus;
  3.   Delight in His commandments; rejoice in His Word.  Hide it in your heart, that you might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

Let your life be a life filled with the Spirit of the LORD, and you will be Blessed – happy; truly joyous.  The only way to be able to live this is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son.

When Others Speak Against You

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“Hold not Thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.” Psalm 109:1-2 (KJV)

How do we respond when we hear others speaking against us? When we  hear that others have said something against us?  It happens, it will happen, or it is happening now.  None of us are immune to this.

David’s response was by going to the One who holds us in His hands.  Lies often fall empty on a life that is lived for the glory of God.  The truth will win out.  If not in the courts  of men, it does in the courts of the guiltless heart of the individual; and in the Court of heaven.

I will go to God of my praise, and rely on Him for my defense.  He will not be silent.  He will defend; He will oppose; He will destroy the lying tongues that oppose Him.

When others speak against you; PRAY to God through His Son Jesus Christ.  He will hear you.

Giving God Praise

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“O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” Psalm 108:1 (KJV)

Giving the fulness of God glory was a matter of an established heart for David.  Even when he had received the adulation of his people he directed praise to God with his own tongue.

No wonder God refers to David as “a man after Mine own heart”.

When those who believe God, the fulness of the Godhead, then we direct all praise to Him.  When we are lauded, then we give it to Him; for He alone is worthy.  With our hearts we praise Him.  With our lives we praise Him.  With our property we praise Him.  With our tongue we praise Him.

When we start to speak derogatorily of another; speak a word of praise to God instead.  A tongue that is praising God cannot speak ill of another.  This is not speaking of confrontation of sin with an individual.

Praise God through the Lord Jesus Christ who is God’s payment for our sins.

Make Known His Deeds

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“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.” Psalm 105:1 (KJV)

The people of God ought always give thanks unto the LORD; unto YHWH.  He alone is the One who is Sovereign over all things, and over us.  He alone directs our paths, and our praise.

We make known the deeds, the works, the power of God in our lives.  It shows on the countenance of the faithful child of God.  It is revealed in the family of the faithful child of God.  It shines forth as the faithful child of God goes into the world with the message that God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus Himself said,

“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:29

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you show the deeds the work of God among the people.

Clothing Makes a Difference

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“Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” Psalm 104:1 (KJV)

We live in a sloppy dressing culture.  Young “men” wear jeans or pants halfway down their buttocks, showing their underwear.  Women; young and old wear dresses and blouses with tops which tell us “Look here”, then complain when a man looks.  I do not mean to be brash, rude, or ugly, but let us face it “Clothing makes a difference”.

Clothes shows one’s character.  In the above verse it is glorifying God, our LORD.  Jehovah the one and only God worthy of our worship and praise.

What is the clothing of God to show His character?  He is dressed in honor and majesty.  He is great in grandeur, in His presence; He is of royal appearance.

Have you noticed that many are interested in the royal family of Britain?  Have you also noticed that they dress as royalty probably ought?  Well, God is the greatest of all royalty, and He has called us to Himself, and made us royal; a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).  Be clothed with the honor and majesty of the One who gives us life.  His name is Jesus.

The apostle Paul said,

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14

Singing Mercy and Judgment

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“I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O LORD, will I sing.” Psalm 101:1 (KJV)

This a Psalm of David.  A man who knew of God’s mercy and judgment.  We ought to be thankful for His lovingkindness, and His chastisement of His own.  Our hearts filled with song, and singing to the One who alone is worthy of song and praise.

Of this verse and song, Spurgeon has written,

“I will sing of mercy and judgment.” He would extol both the love and the severity, the sweets and the bitters, which the Lord had mingled in his experience; he would admire the justice and the goodness of the Lord. Such a song would fitly lead up to godly resolutions as to his own conduct, for that which we admire in our superiors we naturally endeavour to imitate. Mercy and judgment would temper the administration of David, because he had adoringly perceived them in the dispensations of his God. Everything in God’s dealings with us may fittingly become the theme of song, and we have not viewed it aright until we feel we can sing about it. We ought as much to bless the Lord for the judgment with which he chastens our sin, as for the mercy with which he forgives it; there is as much love in the blows of his hand as in the kisses of his mouth. Upon a retrospect of their lives instructed saints scarcely know which to be most grateful for – the comforts which have cheered them, or the afflictions which have purged them. “Unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.” Jehovah shall have all our praise. The secondary agents of either the mercy or the judgment must hold a very subordinate place in our memory, and the Lord alone must be hymned by our heart. Our soul’s sole worship must be the lauding of the Lord. The Psalmist forsakes the minor key, which was soon to rule him in the one hundred and second Psalm, and resolves that, come what may, he will sing, and sing to the Lord too, whatever others might do.
from THE TREASURY OF DAVID

O, let us sing of the LORD’S mercy and judgment.  Let us sing.

Joyful Noise

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“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.” Psalm 100:1 (KJV)

It is a proper and powerful thing if all the earth, the lands of the earth were to make a joyful noise unto the LORD.  He is worthy of it.

Shout unto the world, unto all creation that He is the Lord.  Make a joyful noise on the instruments of strings, on the horns and the trumpets.

True worship is directed toward Jehovah [YHWH] and to no other.  The way to Jehovah is only through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.  In Him you truly worship that wonderful name.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”

Let the People Tremble

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“The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.” Psalm 99:1 (KJV)

There is one thing for which I am certain, and that is that God is GOD, and that He rules in the hearts and minds of mankind.  He rules in the hearts and minds of kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, senators, and congressmen.

To the feeble, finite mind of mankind, and even the mind of the Christian man or woman it is often hard to see; but God still reigns on the earth.  The evil, finite mind of humankind cannot begin to fathom the mind of God.  Yet, the LORD reigns.

The sovereign hand, and mind of God works in the feeble minds of men to do His own will and purposes.  For that reason the people ought to tremble.  One day, and I believe it to be soon the whole earth will tremble, will be shaken, and evil will be destroyed; and Christ Jesus the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords will reign supremely from His throne; and there will be peace.

Read Isaiah 2; 10; 66; Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20-22.   Yet, it is not only a future thing: He is reigning now to accomplish His purposes in my life, in your life, in the world, for His name’s sake.

God has made a way for us to come to Him in worship,  praise, honor and glory; and that is through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ His only begotten son (John 3:16-17, 36).

All the Earth, Singing

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“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless His name; shew forth His salvation from day to day.” Psalm 96:1-2 (KJV)

You will note much singing in the Psalms.  This Psalm is accredited to David in 1 Chronicles 16:7 where this Psalm is first noted, and verses 23-33 are much unchanged.  I would be in error if that be the case of an earlier statement I made in this study of Psalms.  Just proves that I am still learning.

One day those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ will sin a new song around the throne.  We will sing a song of redemption, of the Lamb, of the glory of God. We will sing. We will sing the song of salvation.

In the mean time let us show forth His glorious salvation everyday.  May we live to honor and glorify His name; that others may see Him in us.

The Rock

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“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1 (KJV)

This Rock is not speaking  of a former World Wrestling Federation “champion”, or a movie star.  It is speaking of One who has made all things from nothing.

There is only one who is worthy of our song, our music, our joy, and our praise.  His name is Jesus the Christ; Son of the Living God.  He is the Rock.

Paul the apostle mentions this Rock;

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4

Let us forever sing to the One who is Lord.  He is the Rock of our salvation.  Let us sing.

Also see Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:8-11.

Vengeance and Justice

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“O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew Thyself.” Psalm 94:1 (KJV)

“I don’t get mad; I get even.”  A statement I have heard from others at time.  That thought is one of vengeance.

Our world cries out for justice.  We think of justice as being what is fair and just in payment for a crime that has been done.  We have seen that recently in conflicts where white police officers have killed young black men in the line of duty.  Justice is almost a war cry; and yet in their protest they are not doing justly themselves.

We long for justice; but we ought never take vengeance into our own hands.  We are prone to act with high emotion; especially anger; and when we are angry we sometimes act without thought.

The Bible tells us that “Vengeance is Gods”.  True justice also belongs to God; and in the final assessment justice will be done (Leviticus 19:18;  Deuteronomy 32:35; Isaiah 63:4;  Romans 12:19).

The Psalmist recognized to whom vengeance belonged.  In this day of darkness and evil as followers of Jesus Christ we too must acknowledge that justice and vengeance is God’s.  In too many cases we take vengeance when it is God’s to have.  Remember to “Love your neighbor as you do yourself” (Matthew 22:39).