{Sermon} Psalm 44 - What Our Fathers Have Told Us: What Good Dads Do

Audio here.

The Psalms, the Cross and the Definition of Deliverance

"At first glance, the Psalms seem to be little help. So many psalms speak with confidence about deliverance, but you feel it would be presumptuous to claim that deliverance as your own. This is a different era, after all. No longer does God bring glory to himself by a human kingdom that stands for his righteousness against the surrounding idolatry. Now he brings glory to himself by allowing the church to multiply, sometimes through the suffering of its people.

"When the Cross became the pivotal point in human history, the definition of deliverance changed. It had once meant temporal deliverance from neighboring marauders. Now it means that you could die for the cause of Christ but still be delivered from the worse or 'second' death."

~ Ed Welch, When I Am Afraid: A Step by Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety

The Glory of God is the Message and Motivation of Missions

© Eric M Schumacher – Preached September 3, 2009 at Northbrook Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Audio available here.

This morning, I want us to begin to understand how the glory of God relates to the task of missions, especially world evangelization. What I want us to ask and to answer this morning are these questions:

• What is missions?
• Why do we do missions?
• What do we hope will happen when we do missions?

Our text for this morning, Psalm 96, is a missionary psalm. It will answer our questions.

What is missions?

An easy answer to our question might be, “When we do missions (evangelism), we proclaim the gospel.” That would be a correct answer, especially from a New Testament perspective.

Look, however, at what Psalm 96 tells us to do. It tells us to “declare,” to “tell,” to “say.” We are to communicate something with words. What is it that we are to declare? Verse 3 says explicitly: “Declare his glory among the nations.”

The rest of the Psalm rephrases this command in various terms. The second half of verse three says, “Declare…his marvelous works…” Verse 2 says, “Tell of his salvation…” Verse 10 states, “Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’”

The message of missions is the glory of God. This means that we could define missions by saying that: Missions is the declaration of the glory of God. When we do missions and evangelism, what is it that we do? We proclaim the glory of God.

What Is God’s Glory?

We have said that God’s glory is the display of his excellence. So, we should ask the question: “How is God’s excellence displayed in the things that this psalm tells us to declare?” I do not think that the things we are told in this psalm to declare are unrelated. I believe that they define one another and together help us to understand what is meant by “glory.”

In Hebrew poetry, parallel lines are often used to help define terms. So, in the first half of verse 3, we are told to “declare his glory” and in the second half of that verse we learn what is meant by glory—“his marvelous works.” So what does it mean to declare the glory of God?

To declare the glory of God:

We declare the marvelous works of the Lord.

In the Old Testament, the Lord’s “marvelous works” often refers to God’s acts in history. Typically, these fall into two categories: God’s activity in creation and his activity in the redemption of his people (which is often accomplished through the judgment of enemies). We see all of this in this psalm.

We declare that the Lord is the Creator.

In verse 5, the Lord’s greatness is attested to by the fact that he “made the heavens.” The idols of the peoples are worthless. They are created, but the Lord creates.

This takes us back to Psalm 115, where we saw that the “our God is in the heavens, he does all that pleases him.” In contrast, the idols are “the work of human hands.” The do no speak or see or hear or smell or feel or walk or make a sound. The idols are dead. The Lord’s glory is displayed in his power to create.

We declare that the Lord is the Redeemer of his people.

In verse 2, we are told to “tell of his salvation from day to day.” Salvation at his time would have been the recollection of God’s deliverance of Israel. First and foremost, the Lord delivered them with mighty signs and wonders from Egypt, getting glory over Pharaoh. Furthermore, the Lord displayed his awesome power by giving his people victory in awesome ways as they entered the promised land.

We saw in John 11 that Jesus revealed the glory of God when he allowed Lazarus to die and then raised him from the dead. And, we saw specifically that the “glory of God” that Jesus revealed was that he is the resurrection and the life. He is the Christ, the Son of God, who reigns over death. The Lord’s glory is his power displayed in the redemption of his people.

We declare that the Lord is the Reigning Judge.

In verse 10, we are to say, “The Lord reigns.” In the prophet Isaiah, this is the Gospel that is to be proclaimed. We read in Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’”

This reign is see in the fact that the curse of sin cannot upset God’s created purposes. Because he reigns, the world which is established by him will never be moved. God will come and establish peace and wholeness and righteousness on the earth. Sin and death will not prevail.

Because he reigns, he will judge the people with equity. This means that God will punish all sin. He will remove all the wicked. He will cast out and triumph over the forces of chaos—sin, death and the devil.

We can summarize all these points by saying: God’s glory is his reigning over all things, especially as he saves his people through the judgment of his enemies. So we declare God’s reign as Creator, Redeemer and Judge.

This has application to Christian missions because all of this is wrapped up in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is:

…the Creator.

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him.

…the Redeemer.

Revelation 5:9 by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation

…the Reigning King.

Matthew 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."

…the Judge.

Matthew 25:31-33 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

Revelation 6:15-17 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

This is what the gospel is: the revelation of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the eternal Creator, became man to be the chosen, anointed King—the Messiah. Through the Messiah, God’s reign is seen. As the reigning King, he redeems his people by judging, conquering and removing sin, death and the devil through his death and resurrection. In his death, the curse of sin is removed, rendering it powerless. Through his resurrection, death is destroyed. With sin and death removed from his people through his work, the devil is powerless to touch them. One day this King will come to reign on earth and then he will resurrect his people to live and reign with him.

Therefore, taking the whole Bible into consideration, we can say this: Missions is the declaration of the glory of God in the saving reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To Whom?

If missions is a “declaration”—we are told to “say,” to “declare,” to “tell”—then we should ask another question: To whom should this message be declared?

The answer to that question is also found in this Psalm. Verse 3 says to declare his glory “among the nations” and to declare his marvelous works among “all the peoples.” Verse 10 says to proclaim the Lord’s reign “among the nations.”

So, we should ask the question, “What does the Bible mean when it speaks of ‘the nations’?” Does this mean the various geo-political states we find on our globes and maps, as recognized by the United Nations?

What is meant by ‘all the peoples’?” Isn’t that a typo? Shouldn’t it read “people?” Doesn’t it just refer to every individual person?

We need to be careful not to read back into the Bible our 21st century understandings of the terms “nation” and “peoples.”

It is difficult to give a precise definition of these terms. We can say what they are not. “Nations” are not modern, geo-political states. These change as world events unfold. The nation of “Israel” remained a “nation” regardless of its location. That should tell us something from the outset.

“Peoples” are not groups of individuals organized by their hobbies, interests, occupations or residence. “Israel” was one “people” even if some lived in rich houses and some lived in slums. They were one “nation” even if some were employed as farmers and others as leather-workers. Hobbies, interests, occupation and residence do not define “people groups.”

A “nation” or a “people” is a people with an ethnic identity. We speak today of the “Sioux nation” or the “Cherokee nation.” This is something of what the Bible means by a nation. It is a clan that shares a common language, culture, ethnic identity.

We get a glimpse of what is meant by “nations” and “peoples” in several passages in Revelation:

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation..."

Revelation 7:9-10 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.

This psalm also speaks of “the families of the peoples.” The descendants of Jacob (or, Israel) are a nation. Within his “people” there are various “families”—his twelve sons and their “tribes.” The same would be true with all the nations of the earth.

The inhabitants of earth are made up of many different ethnic groups—or peoples—because of sin. In Genesis 11, we read that mankind united together to make a name for themselves in building a great tower. In response, the Lord confused their languages and scattered them “over the face of all the earth.” From this event, the “nations” developed. Now there were people scattered over all the earth speaking different languages and developing different cultures.

I have said that God’s purpose in creation and redemption was to cover the earth with the display of his glory. Redemption is God working to reverse the effects of the fall. Missions is us declaring God’s redeeming glory. We are participating with God in calling all of the earth to see and to worship his glory.

Making God’s glory known among all the peoples of the earth is a theme in the Old Testament:

Psalm 9:11 Tell among the peoples his deeds!

Psalm 105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Isaiah 12:4-5 Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.

This theme finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As I said before, Jesus Christ is the Creator and King who has redeemed his people and will judge his enemies. This is why it is sung in heaven:

Revelation 5:9 Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation...

Jesus is the one that has purchased people for God from every people group to be worshippers. This is why Jesus says:

Matthew 28:18-20 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Missions is going to all the “peoples” of the earth and to declare to them the glory of God in the saving reign of Jesus Christ. God’s salvation, God’s reign, and God’s glory cannot be seen apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we proclaim him to all the nations.

This must effect how we strategize about missions and evangelism. It is estimated that there are between 12,000 and 24,000 distinct people groups in the world (depending upon how you define the term). While every “nation” (meaning geo-political state on our map) has the gospel, many of these “people groups” do not. We must be strategic in finding ways to take the message of the glory of God in Jesus Christ to those people groups that have not yet heard. The goal of biblical missions is not simply “as many individuals as possible,” but “all the peoples of the earth.”

Why do missions?

So, we have defined missions as going to all the “peoples” of the earth and to declare to them the glory of God in the saving reign of Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t really matter if we know what missions is, if we don’t have a reason to do it. So our next question is “Why?” Why do we do missions? (Or, why ought we to declare God’s glory to all the peoples of the earth?)

Our answers might be “because people will be eternally lost without Jesus Christ” or because God tells us to.” These are both correct and biblical answers. But, they are not the ultimate answer for why we do missions.

The salvation of mankind is not the ultimate motivation of missions. Mere obedience is not the ultimate motivation behind missions. The reason we are to do mission is the same reason for which we ought to do everything—whether we eat or drink (1 Cor 10:31): The motivation behind missions is the glory of God.

Psalm 96 does not simply tell us what to do. It tells us why to do it. Verse 3 tells us to “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among the peoples.” Then, verse 4 begins with the word “For.” “For” means “because.” It functions to give us a reason, a motivation for the command that was just given. The reason? Why should we declare the Lord’s glory? “For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.”

Missions is done because God deserves to be worshiped. God deserves to be worshiped:

…because he is great and greatly to be praised.

Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

…because he is to be feared above all gods.

Verse 5 explains that “the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” The idols are created, foolish and stupid, while the Lord created by wisdom. The idols are worthless, silent and shall perish from the earth, while the Lord speaks, rule, lives and is worthy of praise.

…because splendor and majesty are before him.

Splendor and beauty, majesty and strength are before the Lord, not before idols. God’s beauty, value, worth, excellence, and weightiness are to be declared and delighted in because he alone possesses them.

We do missions because God deserves to be worshipped and there are “peoples” who do not worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Let the Nations be Glad!, John Piper writes on the purpose of missions:

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.

The reason that we do missions is not because people deserve to hear the gospel. Neither you nor I deserve to hear the gospel. No one deserves a single chance to be saved.

Nevertheless, God does deserve to be worshipped. God does deserve to be praised by all the nations of the earth. We who have had our eyes opened by the grace of God to see the glory of his saving reign in Jesus Christ ought to be zealous to see his glory declared by every tribe, language, people and nation on earth.

What do we hope to see happen when we do missions?

It is not enough that we declare God’s glory. There is something that we want to see happen when we declare it to the nations.

One might think that we want them to see God’s glory. This is true. But, it is not enough for people to see the glory of God, if they see it and hate it.

In Matthew 21:15, we read that after Jesus cleansed the temple, the blind and the lame were coming to him and he was healing them. Jesus was revealing the glory of God by reigning over the effects of the curse, such as blindness and lameness. How did the people respond? We read, “But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant…”

Or, previously, we saw in John 11 that Jesus revealed the glory of God by showing that he is the resurrection and the life. Yet, it is in response to Jesus revealing the glory of God in his resurrection of Lazarus that the scribes and the Pharisees gather the Council and we read in John 11:53 that “from that day on they made plans to put him to death.”

When fallen man sees the glory of God, he hates it. Remember that. Being a church for the glory of God does not necessarily mean that we will win the praise of people, even of religious leader type people.

An artist is not glorified when people see his paintings and are bored with them. In the same way, God is not glorified when his greatness is seen (in creation or redemption) and people yawn or scoff.

The proper response to the declaration of God’s glory is joy-filled, holy worship; glad submission to the reign of God in Jesus Christ. 

All the families of the peoples of the earth are to:

• sing to the Lord. (verse 1)
• confess the Lord’s glory and strength. (7-9)
  
• revere the Lord. (7-9)
  
• bring an offering into his courts. (8)
  
• worship the Lord in holiness. (9)
  
• be glad and rejoice. (11)

The world was put under a curse when mankind sinned against God. The earth is groaning under the curse, longing for the day of its redemption. Paul puts it this way in the book of Romans:

Romans 8:18-23 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, he will execute judgment. He will cast out of this world the enemies he has already defeated in his death and resurrection. He will resurrect us with imperishable bodies. He will make a New Heavens and New Earth.

Therefore, the announcement of the Lord’s saving reign in Jesus Christ is a cause for great rejoicing. When the Lord comes, he will judge with righteousness. That means every wrong will be punished. Anyone who has ever been abused or cheated or wronged can rejoice because the Lord will set it straight.

The Lord will judge with faithfulness. God will be faithful to his people. That means if Christ has died for them, he will be faithful to give them everything he has promised them in redemption. Everyone who has ever felt the sting of cancer or the death of a loved one or broken relationships or the aging of the body should rejoice in the announcement of God’s glory in Jesus Christ.

This is what missions is: calling people to join us in being happy in the saving reign of God as revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

  

Sermon on the hymn "Be Still My Soul: Resting in the Sufficiency of Christ"

© Eric M Schumacher – Preached August 23, 2009 at Northbrook Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Audio available here soon.

Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel

Very little is known about Katharina von Schlegel, the author of “Be Still, My Soul.” She was born October 22, 1697 in Germany. The date of her death is unknown, though it appears she died around 1768 in Köthen.

She was a Lutheran. She was influenced by the pietistic revival, led by Jacob Spener. She may have been the canoness of an evangelical women’s seminary in Germany. Her surname may indicate that she was a court lady in the household of the Duke of Köthen.

In 1752, near the end of her life, she contributed at least 20 hymns to a collection of songs. “Be Still, My Soul” was translated from German to English by Jane Borthwick in 1855, and in 1927, David Evans paired it with Jean Sibelius’ stirring tune “Finlandia.”

Psalm 46 – A Meditation on Application

Though no written Scripture reference was given, the basis for this hymn is almost certainly Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.” We looked at this psalm last month, when we were meditating on the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Our hymn this morning might be considered “a meditation on the application of Psalm 46.”

The Setting

Psalm 46 begins with a picture of nature in uproar. Verse one simply mentions “trouble.” Verses two and three speak of “the earth giving way,” “the mountains being moved into the heart of the sea,” the waters of the sea “roaring and foaming,” and “the mountains trembling at the sea’s swelling.” Later, it describes political upheaval on an international scale. In verse 6, we learn that “the nations rage, the kingdoms totter.” Warfare and national tumult is described.

The Bible is very honest about the type of world in which we live. The Bible recognizes that we live in a world where life is not “a bowl full of cherries.”

We dwell on a globe that is under a curse, an earth where thorns and thistles grow. The land and the sea are groaning and do not always behave in ways that we would prefer. The seas roar and foam, spinning out hurricanes. The earth shakes.

Memories are fresh in our minds of last years flood and the Parkersburg tornado. A quick scan of the headlines points us to Hurricane Bill threatening the eastern coast, to powerful earthquakes in Japan, Indonesia, the Indian Ocean, and Alaska and to flu pandemics.

We live in a world inhabited by sinful human beings. Nations was rage against one another in war. Through various means kingdoms totter and fall. A scan of the headlines reminds us of economic instability, political division, nuclear threats, high-jackings and bombings.

We live in a very uncertain and instable world. And all that is not to mention the circumstances of your personal life! You may feel far removed from hurricanes and earthquakes, from political coups and international warfare, but those descriptions might describe how you feel about life.

You may be dealing with a personal tragedy—health, finances, job, relationships, marriage, children, or otherwise. Perhaps it feels as though your life is like the “roaring and foaming” of a wild sea, like the mountains are quaking and tumbling into the heart of the sea. Perhaps it feels like you are caught in the midst of nations raging and kingdoms tottering.

Well, if that is you, know that the Bible speaks to people with such lives. And so does this hymn. Notice the phrases that this hymn employs:

• “the cross of grief or pain”
• “in every change”
• “through thorny ways”
• “all now mysterious”
• “the waves and winds”
• “when dearest friends depart”
• “all is darkened in the vale of tears”
• “your sorrow and your fears”
• “all He takes away”
• “disappointment, grief and fear…sorrow”
• “change and tears”
• “passing clouds”

This hymn, like this psalm, is written for people for whom life hurts, who are restless, changing and uncertain, for whom the sky is dark, the wind is strong, and the path is hard and lonely. This hymn is written for people who are disappointed, grieved, afraid and sad. That is what much of life is like. And, it is important that we sing honest songs that address us in these times.

The Application

In this context, there is one central application to Psalm 46: “Rest in the sufficiency of God.”

Verses 4-6 recall that like a refreshing, life-giving river in the midst of a city, God dwells in the midst of his people. Just a river through the center of a city allowed that city to survive when surrounded by an army, God’s presence in the midst of his people guarantees that they “shall not moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” The nations may rage and the kingdoms may totter, but one word from God can cause it all to end. Thus, we have the double refrain of the Psalm, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Verses 8-9 call the listeners to look at and remember what God has done in the past. He has brought desolations on the earth. He has made war cease and broken the weapons of warfare.

Verse 10 sounds the great application of the Psalm – “Be still, and know that I am God.” The Lord promises that despite the shaking of the earth and the raging of the nations, his purposes are fixed, unchanging and certain in the realm of the nations and nature. “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

If the Lord is with his people and his purposes and promises are fixed and certain, then his people have no cause for worry or despair—they only need have faith in God, which is what it means to “be still, and know that I am God.” To “be still and know” means to be satisfied with who God is and in what he promises and to bank all your hope on that. It is to rest in the sufficiency of God.

That is the main message of this hymn – In light of who God is, what he has done, and what he promises in Jesus Christ, be still, my soul. In her original German text, Katharina von Schlegel writes twelve times in the space of 6 stanzas, “Be still, my soul” (or, ten times in our five English stanzas).

The Hymn’s Message

As we look through the five translated stanzas of this hymn, we see the message of Psalm 46 applied in five different ways. We see the repeated command to “be still,” followed by explanations of who God is, what God has done in the past, and what God promises in the future as a basis for the command “be still.”

In the Midst of Grief and Pain, We Can Rest in the Sufficiency of…

…the Faithful Friendship of Christ.

Stanza one reminds us that we can be still because the faithful friendship of Jesus Christ is sufficient to see us through every situation.

The hymn reminds us, “The Lord is on your side.” That has always been the hope of God’s people. When Israel stood on the banks of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army breathing down their necks, they were greatly afraid, but Moses said to the people (Exodus 14:10-14)

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

The Lord would fight for them. The Lord was on their side. They had only to be silent. They had only to be still, to rest in the sufficiency of the Lord being on their side. Thus, the refrain of this Psalm: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!”

We are reminded that we can “bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.” We do not need to be filled with anxiety. Rather, we “leave to…God to order and provide.” We can trust God because “in every change He faithful will remain.” The Lord never forsakes his people, his promises, or his purposes. Therefore, we exhort ourselves again, “Be still, my soul” with the reassurance, “your best, your heavenly Friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”

It is the great privilege of God’s people to be counted as friends of God. I know that some scoff or recoil at that idea. But, there is certainly Scriptural warrant for it. Abraham was called the “friend of God.”

2 Chronicles 20:7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

James 2:23 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

This friendship meant that the Lord had entered into a covenant relationship with him in which there was no more enmity between them. He had promised to be with Abraham and to bless him.

But how does this apply to us? Psalm 25:14 says, “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” The friendship of the Lord is for those to whom the Lord makes know his covenant. God makes his covenant known to us through Jesus Christ. At the Lord’s Supper we remember the words of Christ that the cup is “the New Covenant in his blood.”

Jesus Christ died on the cross under the wrath of God for our sins, to reconcile us to God. His death satisfies the righteous anger of God, something proven by the resurrection. When we repent of our sin and trust in Christ’s death and resurrection to save us, the Lord pronounces us to be forgiven. Christ’s righteousness is give to us and we have a righteous standing before the Father. We are reconciled. We have entered into a covenant relationship with the Lord.

Thus, Jesus says to his disciples:

John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

So, as believers in Jesus Christ, as recipients of the New Covenant, we have friendship with God. In particular, we have friendship with Jesus Christ, the Messiah himself.

And this heavenly Friend is our “best” Friend. Though all else change, “though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling,” though “the nations rage,” though “the kingdoms totter,” “He faithful will remain.”

This does not mean that he will make life all pleasant and pain-free. He leads us “through thorny ways.” But, his faithful friendship ensures us that he always has good purposes in mind for his people. As the Apostle Paul famously puts it (Romans 8:28): “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Or, you could sing it this way: “Your best, your heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.” That brings us to the second stanza.

…the Sovereignty of Christ.

The thought of God “ordering” and “providing,” of God “leading” through thorny ways to a joyful end brings to mind the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ. By sovereignty, I am referring to both power and providence; to both God’s power to rule over all things and to his providential plan by which he controls and directs all that comes to pass.

This is the thought that flows through stanza two. It begins with reassurance that “your God will undertake to guide the future as he has the past.” Therefore, you should be still. You should let nothing shake your confidence, because all that is now mysterious shall be bright at last.

That is how God has guided the past for his people, isn’t it! God has allowed his people to be put in situations where things were “mysterious.” He allows them to get into situations where their deliverance appears to be impossible. He does this to show his greatness.

This is what the Psalmist invites us to consider in verses 8, “Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.” We are invited to look at the past to see how God has guided the past.

Do you remember how God guided the past with Abraham? When Abraham was one hundred years old and his wife was ninety years—and childless!—the Lord appeared to Abraham and told him that he would multiply his offspring and make him the father of a multitude of nations. How could that be? They were old and childless!

And then, when the Lord gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, the Lord commanded Abraham to sacrifice him. How would the Lord make Abraham exceedingly fruitful, if his only son were dead? But the Lord provided a substitute and provided Abraham with offspring.

Do you remember how God guided the past with Joseph? His brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt, where he was falsely accused, imprisoned and forgotten. It looked hopeless! But the Lord was guiding so that Israel could go to Egypt, be kept alive during the famine, and have good land in which they could grow to be a people who numbered as many as the stars in the heavens.

Do you remember how God guided the past at the Red Sea? When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s approaching army, the situation looked hopeless. But, the Lord parted the waters so that they could pass through on dry ground. And he drowned Pharaoh’s army, getting glory over Pharaoh.

Do you remember how God guided the past in providing salvation for us? He sent his Son to be the Messiah, his anointed King! He lived a perfect, holy, blameless life. He was able to walk on the sea, to calm storms with a word, to turn water into wine, and to raise the dead. Yet, he was rejected by everyone and crucified!

How in the world could a crucified Messiah, a dying God-man be the hope of the world!? And yet, through the resurrection, God showed that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all those who will believe in him. God revealed his wisdom and strength through the foolishness and weakness of the cross.

Do you see how God has led in the past? God has always led “through thorny ways to a joyful end.”

And we know that our joyful end will only come by a thorny path. In Acts 14:22, we read of Paul ministering to the saints in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Paul told Timothy (2 Timothy 3:12), “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Jesus said that (Matthew 7:14), “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

In what you face today, do you trust that he will guide the future as he has the past? O friends who believe in Jesus Christ, I do not know what you are facing in life, but I know this – you can be still, “the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them when he dwelt below.”

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” The God who parted the Red Sea and the Lord who walked upon the sea, and who calmed the wind and waves with a word, is our God still.

…the Presence of Christ.

The sovereign God who is our friend is the God whose presence dwells with his people.

This third stanza begins by describing loneliness and trial. As a Christian, whether through death or desertion, there will be times “when dearest friends depart.” Do you remember what Jesus said in Luke 21:16-17?

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake.

And, there will be times when “all is darkened in the vale of tears.” Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation.” In 1 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul told the believers not to be moved by afflictions, “for you yourselves know that we are destined for this.” And in Romans 8:17, Paul says that we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

But it is in the midst of loneliness and dark tears, “then shall you better know His love, His heart, Who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.” The Lord is present with his suffering people to comfort and strengthen them with his own presence.

This is the reminder of Psalm 46: “The Lord of hosts is with us.”

It was the experience of David:

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

This was Paul’s experience, as he relates it in 2 Timothy 4:16-18:

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.

The Lord stood with Paul when no one else did. And Paul was confident that the Lord would stand with him until the end.

And our Lord Jesus promised in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20), “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” And when the age is done, the Lord will take us to himself, so that we will always be with the Lord.

Our hope and our joy is not found in people or our present situations. Our hope and joy are found in the sufficiency of the presence of our Lord, our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to trust him, because “your Jesus can repay from his own fullness all He takes away.” Whatever the Lord takes away from us, he can repay to us from himself.

We are called to leave our family, to leave our home, to follow Jesus and to lose our lives. But Jesus promises to repay what we lose. He promises:

Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

And:

Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Peter promised suffering believers:
1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

And the Lord Jesus himself tells us to stand firm in our faith to the end because he promises, “Surely I am coming soon.”

…the Promises of Christ.

Since Christ has promised as much, we can rest in the sufficiency of his promises.

The fourth stanza reads,

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

The hymn reminds us that the Lord has promised us a coming hour when we will be with him forever. There is a coming hour when “disappointment, grief and fear” will be gone. There is an hour coming when sorrow will be forgot, when love’s purest joys will be restored.

So, “be still,” because when change and tears—the trembling of the mountains, the swelling of the sea and the raging of the tottering nations—are all past, we shall meet Jesus at last, and live forever all safe and all blessed.

This is how Psalm 46 encourages the stillness of faith. It supports the command for faith, “Be still and know that I am God,” with the reminder of God’s promises:

I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

No matter how loud the raging of the nations, the trembling of the mountains and the roaring of the sea may become, God’s purposes are fixed and certain! He will be exalted! And that day included the redemption of God’s people to live with him forever.

This is how Isaiah encouraged God’s people to believe—to look to the coming day when sorrow would be forgot and love’s purest joys restored:

Isaiah 25:8-9 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.
It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

And Revelation 7:15-17 tells us of the condition of those who have come out of the great tribulation:

…they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

And it will be the same for all of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ unto the end:

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

That day is coming! “When change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

Eric Liddell

Perhaps that is why “Be Still, My Soul,” (this text and tune) was the favorite hymn of Eric Liddell. He is perhaps most best known for refusing to run on Sunday in the 1924 Olympics (a story made famous in the film, Chariots of Fire). But, later in life, Liddell would become a missionary to China. During World War II, he was captured and imprisoned in a prisoner of war camp, where he would eventually die of a brain tumor.

It was this hymn that he taught to the other prisoners in the camp to provide comfort and hope, to strengthen their faith. In the midst of change and tears, disappointment, grief and fear, Liddell remembered and taught others that the day was coming when all that would be gone, and Jesus Christ would remain forever.

…Faith in Christ.

If all these things are true, what are we to do? If it is true that through Jesus Christ we have the assurance of God’s friendship, his sovereignty, his presence and his promises, then how should we respond?

The fifth stanza of our hymn gives us this charge:

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to the Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all your works and ways,
So shall He view you with a well-pleased eye.

The hymn finally gets around to defining what it means to “be still.” It means to sing the “song of praise on earth.”

A “song of praise” is a song giving the Lord praise for what he has done, particularly in regards to salvation. In Exodus 15, we see Moses lead the people of Israel in a song of praise for delivering his people from the hand of Pharoah. In Revelation 15, we see the redeemed in heaven singing “the song of Moses…and the song of the Lamb,” rejoicing in God’s redemption.

But, we are encouraged to “begin the song of praise on earth.” We have not yet received the full consummation, fulfillment of his promises. We have not yet dwelt in the full, personal presence of God our friend. So, since we have not yet seen these things, why would we begin the song?

We begin the song, “believing to the Lord on high.” The song we sing is the song of faith. We believe that God will do what God has promised.

Hebrews 11:6 teaches us that “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." And, Hebrews 13:15-16 says:

Through [Christ] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

That is what it means to “acknowledge him in all your works and ways.” To “acknowledge him” means to subordinate your understanding to his. It does not mean to do works and walk in his ways in hopes of earning salvation. It means to bring your works and ways under his sovereign wisdom. It means to live in ways that the world calls foolish because you believe that God is faithful.

And in this way—through believing the promises of God—“shall he view you with a well-pleased eye.” We are taught that we are pleasing to God through faith. What pleases God is rest in his sufficiency in Christ.

What God has always called his people to do is to simply rest in his sufficiency. To be confident in his promises. To be satisfied with who he is and what he has promised.

James 2:23 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”

At the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14), Moses said to the people,

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

They did not have to fight for and earn their deliverance. They had only to “be still,” to “be silent.”

And through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord told the people of Israel (Isaiah 30:15-16):

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, and you said, “No! We will flee upon horses”; therefore you shall flee away; and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”; therefore your pursuers shall be swift.

The Lord called them to “repent” and “believe.” Not in their own strength, but “in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But they wanted to trust in horses and in swift steeds for their salvation. And so, they perished.

God has called us to “be still,” to believe…

…that we are no longer at enmity with God, but are his friends, having been reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

...that he is guiding the future as he has the past; all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

…that Jesus can (and will!) repay from his own fullness all he takes away.

…that the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord.

Do you believe all these thing?

If so, then, “Be still…the Sun of life divine through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.”

Sermon: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

The audio from my sermon on Psalm 46 and Luther's hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," is available through the link below:

• A Mighty Fortress is Our God: Resting in the Presence and Promise of Christ
  

Exhorting Ourselves to Adore the Lord

As part of Northbrook's on-going hymn memory project, I taught through Joachim Neander's hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" this past Sunday, as I exposited Psalm 103.

In this sermon, I made five observations about what David's psalm tells us about the worship of the Lord and how Neander's hymn illustrates those points.

You can find the sermon, along with the others in the series, through the link below:

• Praise to the Lord -- Exhorting Ourselves to Adore the Lord

A Palm Sunday Hymn - Psalm 24

Here is a text that I wrote several years ago that looks at Psalm 24 through its fulfillment in Christ. It may be fitting to sing on Palm Sunday.

The tune is "Adeste Fildeles" (O Come, All Ye Faithful). I picked this tune because I love it and wanted an opportunity to sing it more often.

Psalm 24 (The Earth Is the Lord's)

The earth is the Lord’s and all who dwell upon it,
For He is the King of the Land and the Sea.
Let all the peoples come and praise their Maker!

Who is this Sovereign Maker?
Who is this Sovereign Maker?
Who is this Sovereign Maker?
Christ the Lord!

But how can we worship? Who can stand before Him?
For how can a heart stained with sin be made clean?
See! Our Creator comes as our Redeemer!

Who is this Great Redeemer?
Who is this Great Redeemer?
Who is this Great Redeemer?
Christ the Lord!

The Lord is almighty! Strong is He in battle!
Now death is defeated and sin is atoned.
He goes before us as our Mighty Warrior!

Who is this Mighty Warrior?
Who is this Mighty Warrior?
Who is this Mighty Warrior?
Christ the Lord!

O, Lift up your heads, you gates and ancient doorways!
O, Open the gates! Let His glory come in!
Maker, Redeemer, Warrior, King of Glory!

Who is this King of Glory?
Who is this King of Glory?
Who is this King of Glory?
Christ the Lord!

Text: © Eric M. Schumacher
Tune: adeste fideles, John Francis Wade

Psalm 19 – The Heavens, The Word, and the Glory of Christ

© Eric M Schumacher – Preached March 18, 2007 at Northbrook Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

In Psalm 19, David speaks to us about two books (so to speak) in which the Lord is revealed to us: the book of the heavens (general revelation) and the book of God’s Word (special revelation).

Compared with earth, our sun is enormous. Its diameter is 864,000 miles. In terms of mass, it is 332,000 times bigger than earth. On its surface, it burns at 6,000 degrees Centigrade. It travels at 155 miles per second.

Yet, in comparison with other stars, our sun is a modest star. It is one of 100 billion stars in our galaxy. Our galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter—587-trillion miles. Given enough time, it would take the sun 200 million years to complete a revolution around the galaxy. Ours is one of a million such galaxies in range of our most powerful telescopes.

That is just a brief introduction to the size and vastness of our universe. What does this universe mean?

The characters in the popular 1990’s cartoon The Animaniacs, in a song about the universe, sang, “It’s a great big universe and we’re all really puny. We’re just tiny little specks about the size of Mickey Rooney.” They concluded, “It’s a great universe and we’re not.”

For some, that is all there is to be concluded when looking at the universe—in light of the size of the universe, we are small and insignificant, our lives don’t matter. This thought can lead to hopelessness and a sense of meaninglessness.

The mistake that scientists and tenth-grade science students make when they make this conclusion is not that we are small and insignificant. The mistake lies in the assumption that the universe exists to say something about us. It flows from the fallen, idolatrous condition of the human heart that assumes that we are central to the universe and everything revolves around us.

Stephen Curtis Chapman gets it right in his song “Much of You.” He sings, “How could I stand here / And watch the sun rise / Follow the mountains / Where they touch the sky / Ponder the vastness / And the depths of the sea / And think for a moment / The point of it all was to make much of me / ’Cause I’m just a whisper / And You are the thunder…”

It is About God

Chapman knows what David tells us in Psalm 19: The universe does not exist to speak about us. The heavens exist to speak about God.

David says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Creation testifies to the glory of God, especially the heavens. The sky above proclaims his handiwork. By saying it proclaims “his” handiwork, it implies “he” is there and that creation is not self-existent.

Handiwork reflects the handyman. Workmanship reflects on the worker. A work of art tells us something about the artist. The heavens declare God’s glory. That is, the heavens show God’s magnitude and magnificence. The Apostle Paul said it this way:

Romans 1:19-20 - For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world…

God’s power and nature can be seen in creation:

· The sheer size of the universe reflects the infinite greatness of God.

· The intricacy and precision of the movements of planets says something of God’s wisdom.

· The beauty of the galaxies declares the infinite beauty of our God.

· The consistency of creation speaks volumes of God’s faithfulness.

Always Declaring

David continues, “Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”

This tells us that this declaration is unavoidable. During the day, the heavens display the sun, surrounded by a sky of light. During the night, the heavens display the moon, surrounded by the stars.

Nothing can stop the display of God’s glory. One can always behold the sun or light or moon or stars. The heavens are always “speaking,” always “revealing knowledge.” God’s glory is always being proclaimed.

Speech That is Seen

But, the scoffer might respond, “I can’t hear them!” The NIV, KJV say “There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” Meaning that everyone there are people who speak, the voice of the heavens is heard.

But, this verse literally reads, “no speech, no words, without their voice being heard.” David means that when he says “day to day pours out speech” he is not speaking in literal terms. He does not mean that the heavens literally speak with words or with a voice that is heard

The “speech” that David speaks of is not acoustic or audible, but pictoral. You see this speech. Every time you gaze at the sky, you are seeing testimony to the glory of God.

This Belongs to the LORD!

The heavens declare something more than God’s glory alone. David continues, “Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

The word that some translations translate as “voice,” is a word used for a “measuring line.” The idea of a measuring line can mean “a line used to mark off.” It can be used to mark off land to indicate possession, such as a property line.

So, where does the Creator’s property line run? Everywhere the heavens can be seen. The sun, the light in the sky, the moon, the stars all declare, “This belongs to the LORD! He is the sovereign King who reigns over this land!”

When the sun runs its course from the east to the west it is declaring: Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein!”

So, All Are Without Excuse

Therefore, we can conclude both that the entire earth not only belongs to the Lord, but the inhabitants of the earth are without excuse. There is no place where humans dwell that does not have access to the testimony of the heavens. All of humanity is accountable for the revelation of the heavens.

The heavens speak clearly. How the heavens are received depends upon the spiritual condition of the observer.

An observer who is spiritually alive will be overwhelmed with the glory of God when beholding the heavens. The unspiritual observer will say, “A star is a sphere of burning gas. The moon is a giant rock.”

Paul tells us how we all receive the testimony of the heavens:

Romans 1:20-23 - For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Every man, woman, and child, apart from the grace of God, will behold his glory in creation and exchange it to worship a created thing—whether that be themselves, an animal, or material things.

The Sun and Its Tent

David sees the sun as God’s crowning accomplishment in the creation of the heavens. David images that God has pitched a tent for the sun. In the morning, the sun emerges from that tent in dramatic fashion.

He is like a “bridegroom leaving his chamber.” The chamber may mean the tent in which he was married, the tent in which he spent the first night with his bride, or the tent in which he dressed for the wedding. In any of these, you imagine a bridegroom bursting out with happiness, joy and pride.

The sun “like a strong man, runs its course with joy.” An athlete is the most happy when he is competing in that sport he was created for. And, what the sun was created to do was to declare the glories of the reigning Creator from one end of the earth to the other, with nothing being hidden from its heat. And that is what the sun has done from the beginning of creation, does every day, and will do until the Lord returns and His glory replaces the sun.

The Word of the Lord

David now makes an important transition. He moves from speaking of the revelation of God in creation to the revelation of the Lord in his word.

The heavens are an amazing display of God’s glory. Yet, we should never say, “I’m going to skip church because I can worship God fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, or sitting outdoors just as well as I can in hearing a sermon.” You can’t. The heavens were never intended to be a means of revelation apart from God’s word. The heavens apart from God’s word give us enough to be condemned, but not enough to be saved.

David is not speaking as an atheist gazing at the sky. David is speaking as a believer. It is only as a believer—one who has come to trust in the God revealed in the Scriptures—that one can ever see in creation what God intended to be seen.

Romans 10:17: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The Word of God is the instrument God uses to work faith in our hearts. The Spirit through the Word, and not through creation, produces faith.

The soul that stays inside all day, only gazing at a virtual word of websites, email, video games and movies will significantly shrivel. But, the soul that only looks up at the sky, but never at God’s Word, will shrivel as well. Both the Heavens and the Word declare, but only the Word is said to change us.

The Law of “the Lord.”

An important transition takes place in verse 7. In verse 1, David speaks of “the glory of God, “el” in Hebrew. The heavens reveal “God” in general. But when David begins to speak of the written word in verses 7-9, he does not speak of “the law of God,” but “the law of the Lord,” “the testimony of the Lord,” “the precepts of the Lord,” “the commandment of the Lord,” “the fear of the Lord,” and “the rules of the Lord.” He uses the Hebrew word “Yahweh.”

When the word “Lord” appears in your Bible in small caps, it is translating the word “Yahweh,” which is the personal name of God. This personal name is the name that God used to reveal Himself to the people of Israel—the people he had redeemed as his own and with whom He had come into a covenant relationship.

When David speaks of the revelation of creation, he speaks of God in general. But, when David speaks of God’s written word, he speaks of “Yahweh,” a personal God who his people know personally.

Therefore, one implication of this is that while the “book of creation” reveals to us that there is a God and that he great and powerful, it is necessary for God to speak to us if we are to enter into a personal relationship with him. Therefore, if you really want to know and relate to the Lord on a personal basis, nature alone is not enough. You must hear from God’s Word to be in covenant relation with Him.

The Nature and Function of the Word

David uses a variety of terms to describe the written Word of God. He describes it as “the law of the Lord,” “the testimony of the Lord,” “the precepts of the Lord,” “the commandment of the Lord,” “the fear of the Lord,” and “the rules of the Lord.” Each of these terms describes a different aspect of what God’s word is.

David describes for us two things: What the Word is and what the word does.

What the Word Is.

David tells us that the Lord’s word is:

“The law of the Lord is perfect”

As we said in verse one, the handiwork reveals to us character of the handyman. Likewise, words reveal to us the character of the one who speaks. Every thing that David tells us about what the Word is, is a reflection of who the speaker is.

Since the Lord is perfect, his word is perfect. There is no mixture of error in the word of the Lord.

Being perfect, the word of the Lord is complete and therefore sufficient. It contains everything we need to live and to be godly. As Paul will later write:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

“The testimony of the Lord is sure” –

“Sure” means “certain,” “trustworthy,” “established.” That is, what God testifies to can be trusted and depended upon, just as the Lord himself is sure. In a world of uncertainty, we can draw assurance and comfort that what the Lord says is “sure”—it is true and will not fail.

“The precepts of the Lord are right”

Because God’s word comes from Him, it is founded on his character. This means we can be certain that what He says is both correct and righteous.

Like a good doctor’s prescription, what prescribes is always right and therefore we are always wrong if we are not conformed to his word.

“The commandment of the Lord is pure”

Corruption comes from defilements and impurity. There is no mixture of error in God’s Word to defile it. Therefore, all its parts can be trusted.

What the Lord commands is pure and, therefore, we are always impure if we are not conformed to what he says.

“The fear of the Lord is clean”

“Fear of the Lord” probably referring to the instructions for worship found in the word. Therefore, the only way to worship the Lord in purity is to worship him according to his revelation. Proper reverence for the Lord is rooted in responding to the word of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is “enduring forever.” The holiness that comes from God’s word is a foundation for eternal life. A soul characterized by the fear of the Lord is a soul that will also have endure forever. There is no eternal life apart from the fear of the Lord.

“The rules of the Lord are true”

What the Lord commands is true. That is, it is trustworthy, right, and dependable.

And, it is “righteous altogether.” Because the Word originates in the Lord, the Word is completely righteous. The Word gets to declare what is fair, correct, and righteous.

The life that is not conformed to the word of the Lord is a life that is not “altogether righteous.” There is no righteousness apart from being found in the Word.

What God’s Word Does:

David also tells us what the Word does:

“Reviving the soul”

The Word “revives.” This word means to “turn back” or “bring back.” Just as the Word of the Lord spoke the universe into existence, the Word of the Lord is what brings life back to our dead souls.

The Word changes hearts. The Word produces outward changes by inwardly changing the soul. Conversion occurs through the hearing of the Word of the Lord. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

True revival cannot be produced by our efforts, our productions or our great programs and methodology. The Word of Lord is the means of revival. It is the tool that God’s Spirit uses to revive His people. Therefore, if we desire to be a church in which the Lord brings genuine revival, we must be a church steeped in the word of the Lord.

“Making wise the simple”

2 Timothy 3:15 – “the sacred writings…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

The Lord is the wisest of all beings. And, therefore, those who conform their thinking to His thinking are the only ones who are truly “wise.” Those who are humble enough to listen will grow wise.

It does not matter how intelligent you appear in the eyes of the world. The one who listens to the Lord’s testimony is truly wise. The person or church that rejects the Lord’s testimony is stupid.

“Rejoicing the heart”

Once you have trusted the wisdom of God’s word, you are on the path to true happiness. Genuine satisfaction and happiness is rooted in living according to the Lord’s precepts.

“Enlightening the eyes”

If you stare into the sun, your eyes will be blinded and you will be unable to see. However, if you stare into the Word of the Lord long enough, your eyes will be enlightened and your soul will be able to see. The Word reveals dimensions of truth and reality in human experience found nowhere else.

Summary of God’s Words

Having seen all this, consider what we forfeit when we neglect the Word of the Lord! Consider what will happen to a person, or to a church, that forfeits the Word of the Lord! When a person or a church hears the Word of the Lord and decides to exchange the Word for personal preferences, for tradition, for worldly wisdom, for practical pragmatics, what does it forfeit? The person or church that forfeits the Word of the Lord forfeits revival, wisdom, rejoicing, enlightenment, endurance and righteousness. They forfeit a great reward, more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey.

Consider what is offered to you in the Word of Lord! If you are a person who is here this morning weighted down with sorrows and sadness and worries and troubles and sin and death, consider what the Word of the Lord offers to you!

Do you want revival? Then go to the Word of the Lord!

Do you want wisdom? Then go to the Word of the Lord!

Do you want a heart that rejoices? Then go to the Word of the Lord!

Do you want eyes that are enlightened? Then go to the Word of the Lord!

Do you want life that endures forever? Then go to the Word of the Lord!

Do you want to be altogether righteous in the sight of the Lord? Then go to the Word of the Lord!

Better Than Gold, Sweeter Than Honey

The spiritual treasures offered in the Word of the Lord are greater that the things man seeks for the most. Gold bring us profit and honey brings us pleasure. But the Word of the Lord is of greater value than much fine gold. The Word of the Lord is more satisfying than honey, the finest of foods in David’s eyes.

The reason that we struggle with sin is not because we desire happiness and satisfaction. The reason we struggle with sin is because we do not want to be happy enough. We do not believe that God’s word is more desirable that material possessions. We do not believe that God’s word is more satisfying than the world. So, we settle for the little, temporary, small pleasures of money, sex, food & drink, material things, while the Word of the Lord offers us pleasures and rewards that are far greater.

The Word of the Lord has unsurpassed worth for every area of life. Therefore, God’s Word should be sought with greater effort and eagerness than the things of the world are sought.

The Word of the Lord warns us of danger. And, when we keep the Word of the Lord, we find a great reward.

The Heavens, The Word, and Ourselves

Having looked at the heavens and then at the Word, David surely comes to realize how far short he falls of the perfection revealed in these things. Therefore, the revelation of the Lord moves David to:

1) ask for the forgiveness of sins.

2) ask the Lord to keep him from sin.

3) David asks that what he speaks, thinks and feels would be appropriate in the light of the Lord’s greatness.

In other words, David sees the beauty of God in Creation and in the Word and, desiring to enjoy that beauty, realizes that his only life falls short of it. So, he pleads with God to gracious work to cleanse him, protect him and change him so that he delights in the Lord with all that he is.

Both the Heavens and the Word Point Us to Jesus Christ.

In the first chapter of John’s gospel, we read:

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Word. The Lord always revealed himself to his people through his word. What we learn is that ultimately, Jesus Christ is “the Word made flesh.” Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of the Lord. Thus, John writes, “and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father…”

Jesus Christ therefore is “perfect” and “sure” and “right” and “pure” and “clean” and “true.” And, therefore, Jesus Christ is the one who “revives the soul.” Jesus Christ makes the simple wise. Jesus Christ rejoices the heart. Jesus Christ enlightens the eyes. Jesus Christ is more to be desired than fine gold and the drippings of the honeycomb.

In Jesus Christ we find a satisfaction that is superior to anything else in the entire world.

The Heavens. John also tells us about the Word:

John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the one through whom “all things” were made. He is the creator of everything. Jesus is the one who made the heavens and the sky.

This means that creation was not just intended to declare the glories a generic God. The great God whose glory the heavens declare is not the generic God of Oprah, but the Word who “was God” and who “became flesh and dwelt among us,” that is, creation declares the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was raised from the dead and who will reign forever over all creation.

Therefore, when you look at the sun, whose “rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat,” you should think of the greatness of Jesus Christ. You should be reminded of the words of Isaac Watts:

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun

Does its successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

And, therefore, you should bow yourself before Jesus Christ and worship Him alone.