Several key words in today’s readings: power, justice, fairness, righteousness, and joy and the command to Shout!. Why is David so worked up about God’s character?
Psalm 95 simply tells us…encourages us, really….to humble ourselves before God. We are to praise Him, sing songs about Him (to Him) and listen to what He has to say. Obedience is implied here. Not obedience out of fear, but obedience motivated by love and respect. This same psalm also reminds us that we have a problem. Even though we know God is worthy of praise and respect, we have a tendency to withhold, and focus on ourselves instead of God. It’s called “hardness of heart”, and it doesn’t mean we suddenly lose all our friends, or fall into poverty, in fact, if you become hardened of heart no one else will know at first. It means I simply begin to focus on ME instead of HIM. It’s an easy trap to fall into, I promise you. I have been reminded recently how powerful our internal desires are. I happen to love Caramel creams (and Cow Tails) but I have been packing on some weight so I decided not to eat any more of them. I really, really shouldn’t eat any more of them…. 3 pieces later I am feeling guilty and reminded that I have still not died to self. Self gratification is like a weed that refuses to die. Having a tasty snack isn’t such a bad thing, but not being able to tell ourselves “no” can have serious consequences.
“Lord, I don’t just need more strength to become more like you…what I really need is for you to pull out of my life the weed of “self” by it’s roots. It’s too much for me, and it’s creating problems. I see it, I know it. But I can’t do anything about it. I need you, Lord.”
The next three psalms speak often of God’s righteousness. To be righteous is to be holy. It means to always be correct, perfect performance, perfect intent, perfect….period. When the same word is used of us (yes, we are righteous as Christians) it means that God sees us without sins. Our performance isn’t perfect, and we aren’t always right in what we say or do, but God sees us that way because of Jesus. Without Jesus, we have no hope of being righteous. Having said that, I believe Jesus does require our “best effort”, which will fall short, of course…but it’s our best, and that’s enough for Him. I don’t think we can be called righteous if we give our best efforts to ourselves, and then section off a portion of what’s left over for Christ. He won’t accept it.
David glimpses what perfection is like. God’s Word is instantly obeyed, all creation sings, praises and bows before Him. All enemies are consumed in a blaze of holy fire that goes in front of Him. Nothing impure or unholy can ever approach, nothing evil can ever defeat Him. He is all powerful, all knowing and present in all places at all times. If He chooses, He cannot be denied or resisted. The devil, in all of his power is powerless before Him. God is never wrong. He has never made a mistake. His Words can be trusted more than the laws of nature. Nothing stands truer than Him.
What privilege we have in Christ! What great honor has been afforded to humans that we have the opportunity to be counted as His children! We couldn’t arrive at this fortuitous place if we tried with all our might, and yet God has placed us here simply because He has chosen to love us. All of this, and we aren’t even in heaven yet…where the real fullness of our adoption will be made known!
Surely thoughts of God’s character will result in words of praise! Because God is holy, I am made holy! Because God is eternal, I am made eternal! What could the Christian possibly have to be afraid of? Nothing! Nothing in all creation can touch us unless the Lord allows it, and He only allows what will bring Him glory, or instruct us. That can be trusted as well.
I suspect that if we focused on these truths with intention, it would overflow our heart and emotions. Thinking long and hard about God’s pure character is sure to transform us.
Faithfully,
PR