“His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship Him, all you gods! Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of Your judgments, O LORD.” Psalm 97:4-8
Devotional Thought For The Day
All people are aware of the awesome powers of nature – which at times crushes and disposes of both human endeavors and human beings, scrubbing the very ground of all things and leaving it bare. Sentient and reasonable people see these things, and if we do not tremble at the power of the Creator and Sustainer of all things, we at least take cognizance of Him and grant Him some deference and respect. To do otherwise is grotesque and insane pride and blindness. When it is personal, your things that are wiped away, or perhaps your loved ones, such disasters become a kind of personal epiphany – forcing a reconsideration of one’s relationship with God. One must weigh and consider what is lost and what is left and begin rebuilding a life, hopefully with greater reverence for God, the LORD.
The heavens do proclaim His righteousness, although this is difficult for sinful human beings to see and acknowledge. Most of the time nature displays the remarkable genius of God’s creation, but also the reality that mankind’s sin has destroyed not only human decency and community but also some of the balance of nature. Our experience of this, sometimes volatile and violent, is intended to move us to consider our sin and our need for God’s forgiveness and salvation, so that we do not put hope in this life but in the promised new heavens and earth. The goodness, which is predominant, is intended to move us to look for assurances of God’s gracious love – which is found only in Christ Jesus. Sadly, our rebellion is such that many actually turn to idols and false gods, placing hope and confidence not in God’s love and redemption in Christ Jesus, but in ourselves, a presumed ability to make our own amends with God and prove ourselves pleasing to Him. It is this arrogance and rejection of His revelation that ultimately provokes fiery judgment.
Those who know God’s judgments in Christ Jesus, the mercy, forgiveness, and salvation that He has freely and graciously provided for us in Christ Jesus, rejoice in God and worship Him with gladness. The assurance that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus is a wondrous foundation for facing all of the uncertainties and discomforting circumstances of life. [Rom. 8:39] This is the real glory of God, seen in the face of Jesus Christ, our dear Savior and Lord [2 Cor. 4;6], and this blessedness gives joy and gladness, confidence and courage in the face of all dangers and disasters. Happy and blessed are those who know and believe God’s great love for us rather than boasting in “worthless idols.” They shall see and be the beneficiaries of the salvation of our God – rejoicing forever in His judgments.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, grant us always to see Your awesome power and might, to maintain proper repentance, humility, and deference toward You, and to rejoice in Your gracious and merciful judgments. May we always be among those who truly know You, who see Your glory, that we may rest ourselves confidently in Your redemption, salvation, and eternal deliverance. Turn those who worship images to shame that they may humble themselves and acknowledge You, and join us in praising You alone for Your grace, mercy, and love. Amen.