Sunday 7 January, 2018

1 God, we praise you. We praise you because you are near to us. People talk about the wonderful things you have done. 2 You say, “I choose the appointed time to judge people. And I judge them fairly. 3 When the earth and all its people tremble, I keep everything from falling to pieces. 4 To the proud I say, ‘Don’t brag anymore.’ To sinners I say, ‘Don’t show off your power. 5 Don’t show it off against me. Don’t talk back to me.’ ” 6 No one from east or west or north or south can judge themselves. 7 God is the one who judges. He says to one person, “You are guilty.” To another he says, “You are not guilty.” 8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup. It is full of wine mixed with spices. It is the wine of his anger. He pours it out. All the evil people on earth drink it down to the very last drop. 9 I will speak about this forever. I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. 10 God says, “I will destroy the power of all sinful people. But I will make godly people more powerful.”

This Psalm, clearly from God’s mind and perspective on the affairs that take place throughout the Earth, affirms God is in charge. I love verses 2 and 3, where God declares Himself to be in charge of the appointed times, and the one who holds the pillars of the Earth firm when everything shakes.

How relevant, and comforting, for our times. God is truly the one who oversees the rise and fall of leaders, nations, and people’s, across the Earth. It is interesting to note that the Psalmist response is – “I will declare this forever.”

This is a challenge to me. I’m one to analyse the problem, talk of various solutions, and sometimes just outright complain and just throw my hands up in the air! But am I one to continually declare – God’s in charge. God’s on His throne. He appoints the rulers, He decides the times, and He appoints the times. He keeps things steady when everything shakes. How often are these declarations on my lips? They need to be. It seems that my own declarations can steady my own ship, especially in turbulent times and troubling circumstances.

Lord, help me control my tongue, and use my tongue wisely. To declare what is true, and keep truth always on my lips! Irrespective of my theories, you’re in charge, on your throne, working in our times for your good purposes and towards your good ends! Hallelujah!

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh