Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Psalm 47
I would like to invite my friends to take another look at some thoughts I prepared six years ago. It is always good to remember who is really in control of our world when we witness the turmoil of an election year. May God bless you!
God's holy remnant certainly has its work cut out for it. The righteous minority in our country grieves over the crass sinfulness of this election season. Psalm 47 is a beautiful place where we can find comfort, solace, and the marching orders of our merciful King. Let's take a look.
I have recently been studying and meditating on Psalm 47. I love the Psalms, and if I had to choose a favorite book of the Bible, I would undoubtedly choose the Psalms. They speak to and for us, reaching our most profound needs when everything appears to have fallen apart. They express our deep despair in times of adversity. They provide comfort and help us utter the words of praise that we need so much to offer our God in our darkest hours. They speak to us and help us draw nearer to the throne of God in worship, prayer, and praise. They help us in our personal growth.
God's holy remnant certainly has its work cut out for it. The righteous minority in our country grieves over the crass sinfulness of this election season. Psalm 47 is a beautiful place where we can find comfort, solace, and the marching orders of our merciful King. Let's take a look.
I have recently been studying and meditating on Psalm 47. I love the Psalms, and if I had to choose a favorite book of the Bible, I would undoubtedly choose the Psalms. They speak to and for us, reaching our most profound needs when everything appears to have fallen apart. They express our deep despair in times of adversity. They provide comfort and help us utter the words of praise that we need so much to offer our God in our darkest hours. They speak to us and help us draw nearer to the throne of God in worship, prayer, and praise. They help us in our personal growth.
The Psalms significantly influenced the apostles' life and the early church's worship. The apostles and even Jesus often quoted from the Psalms in their preaching and writing as Biblical proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. Peter quoted Psalm 16:8-11 to prove that Jesus must be raised from the dead (Acts 2:24-36). Paul's message was identical (Acts 13:29-30). The Psalms were prominent in the New Testament writers' minds and should also be important to us today. They contributed significantly to the early church and can help us apply them today. But, we must become familiar with them and develop a deep love for them.
The Book of Psalms helps us to seek after God and yearn to know the heart of God. They help us focus on God alone, not on ourselves or others (John 4:20-24; Eph. 1:6,12-14; 3:21). Likewise, they help us see the fullness of God, the glory of God who sits on His throne, that we might fall before Him in worship and adoration.
Psalm 47 inspired me to write about God's rule and authority over nations and governments. The Word of God shows us time after time God's dealings with the nations and how He brings judgment on the ungodly and immoral nations. The truth is that God still rules the universe through His Son and continues to bless or curse nations according to their righteousness and godliness or lack of it.
As we read Psalm 47, we notice that God wants all people to come to Him because He reigns, and He is “the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.” God was not just King over Israel, but the real King over all other earthly kings!
I. SUBMITTING TO THE HIGHEST KING OF ALL THE EARTH:
- God rules in The Kingdoms of Men, and The Bible Declares that He Does:
In the Bible, we read of a king named Nebuchadnezzar, full of pride (over 2500 years ago). God humbled this king in Daniel 4. This king discovered the hard way that God has everlasting power in heaven and earth. No one can restrain God's hand (Daniel 4:34). God taught the Babylonian king that HE ruled in His kingdom.
“And the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws. 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:30-34).
In Psalm 113:4, the psalmist praises God similarly.
"The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!”
- God Has All Authority and Power Over All (Peoples and Nations):
When Jesus was before Pilate, He taught this same concept to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of all Judea. Pilate asked Jesus (desiring for Jesus to make a defense) if He was aware that he, Pilate, had the power to kill and crucify Him. In response to this, Jesus replied,
“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above...” (John 19:11).
You see, our God is the only real King with the power and still gives dominion to all the rulers of the earth. Our God is the LORD and Most High. No one and nothing is higher than God. Those with earthly power and authority have received it from God since He has allowed them to receive it. As Paul said,
However, some wrongfully think that earthly government and civil authorities exist because we determine who will rule by election or revolution. The truth is that “there is no authority except from God... “ Man did not create government. God did!
Hence, all men are called to humble themselves and acknowledge Him with complete and absolute dependence on Him. He is awesome, and He is King!
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:7)
However, some wrongfully think that earthly government and civil authorities exist because we determine who will rule by election or revolution. The truth is that “there is no authority except from God... “ Man did not create government. God did!
“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chr. 20:6).
Hence, all men are called to humble themselves and acknowledge Him with complete and absolute dependence on Him. He is awesome, and He is King!
Those who do not acknowledge Him will be subdued. We see this portrayed in the history of the conquering of the nation of Israel. God did not just destroy nations to help Israel expand its border but to bring judgment on these nations because of their lawlessness. The sins of the Canaanites demanded God's judgment, which eventually God brought upon them. God used the Israelites to bring that judgment when He used them to destroy the people and give their land as an inheritance to Israel. God uses everything at His disposal to bring judgment on the ungodly (Deut. 28:15-20).
- God Subdued the People of Egypt:
He brought plagues, epidemic diseases (Deut. 28:21-22), worms, locusts, and crickets (Deut. 28:38-39). Fruit trees dropped their fruit (Deut. 28:40). He brought wild animals (Deut. 28:26) and various other judgments (Deut. 29:20). One of those frequent judgments that God used to warn Israel was enemy nations (Deut. 28:32, 36, 49-51, 64-67). He likewise subdued the Amalekites, Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, Ammonites, and anyone who came against Israel as long as they were still faithful to God. But, when the Israelites broke their covenant with God, God used more wicked nations like the Assyrians and Babylonians to destroy Israel, His people. God subdues nations and chooses His people when they obey Him and remain faithful.
In Psalm 47:5, we read that God ascended (went up) with a shout. That is, they gave glory to God as He rose up when the ark of the covenant was lifted up, and the people, the Israelites, shouted and followed the cloud of God until it stopped.
“The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 35 Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, 'Rise up, O Lord! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.' 36 When it came to rest, he said, “Return, O Lord, To the myriad thousands of Israel'” (Numbers 10:34-36).
So when God rose up, He defended His people and conquered their enemies. I think that is why so many of the Psalms are prayers calling unto God to rise and defend His righteous ones. This symbolism began with the ark of the covenant and God's glory rising up against the nations as the Israelites were advancing to the promised land.
II. GOD MUST BE PRAISED AS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH: (Psalm 47:6-9)
- Our God is Supreme Over and Above All the Kings of the Earth:
He makes all events happen in history. He directs history toward His goal for His glory and on behalf of His righteous ones. God determines the rise and fall of all nations and the length of their rule. God makes everything possible for nations to seek after Him and do His will. But when nations hinder those who seek after Him, God's patience is tested. And if repentance does not occur, His patience runs out, bringing His judgment upon nations. He is well aware of the state of each country, including our nation. Take heed because each day of rebellion against His will is nearer to God's wrath.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)
In Psalm 47:6-7, the Psalmist calls upon the people to praise God because He is King of all the earth. He reigns over all the nations and sits on His holy throne. He is fiercely ruling over all the earth. He is not asleep but sitting on His holy throne, reigning over all the people. This gave great hope to Israel back then and should also give us great hope. God is fighting for us and protecting us from all harm. Remember that!
- God Reigns, and He determines Who Rules in these Governments:
In Daniel 4:7, 17, we read,
"God removes kings and sets up kings... The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.”
So, all governments are under His control. He puts them there but can also take them down and out of service. He does whatever He pleases. He establishes all civil government and decides who rules in those governments. So, does that imply that the tyrants and dictators of all history are included? Yes! They rule with the permission of the sovereign will of God. We find this in the Bible.
For example, in Daniel 4:32, we read,
“And you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whom ever He wishes.”
So, are evil rulers allowed to rule according to God? Romans 13:1 applies to all rulers, whether good or bad.
“Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?” (Lamentations 3:37-38).
God is not only sovereign over good but also over evil. He controls and directs evil rulers to accomplish what He desires, His purpose, for His glory. He also determines the times of their rule. In Isaiah 40:23-24, we read,
“Who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.”
So, God changes the times and seasons. He likewise removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to wise men (Daniel 2:21)
Therefore, since God rules in and over nations, it should not surprise us that God has set rules and expects nations to follow them. That is right! He has set rules for nations just as He has set rules for us as individuals. Let’s consider some of those rules:
- Nations Must Be Righteous:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
When God exalts a nation, it is because their people are doing what is right in God's eyes. But when a nation gives itself over sin, it dishonors that nation. Think about what Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:5-6.
“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'”
You see, Moses exhorted the nation to observe the laws of God faithfully so that they might appear righteous before God. In so doing, they would be a wise and great nation. Notice what verse 8 says,
"And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?"
Moses then goes on to ask the people,
“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him?”
The same question ought to be asked of our nation today. The nation of Israel was special to God. Our nation acknowledged the existence, respect, and the fear of God when it was founded. God had given the nation of Israel a unique legal system through Moses, which was more excellent than that of other nations at that time. Our nation was built on laws and principles by our forefathers, whose view of life, liberty, and happiness was based on Biblical principles. It was those Bible principles that made our country a great nation.
But notice what Moses told the nation of Israel in Deut. 4:9,
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”
So, what was Israel's failure? They refused to diligently keep the righteous laws that God had given them. Moreover, they failed and neglected to teach God's laws to their children. Is it not true that this is what's happening in our country today? Many have forgotten or don't even care about following God's laws of righteousness. We have utterly neglected and failed to teach our children godly principles of righteousness. As a nation, we have failed to take to heart Psalm 33:12,
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”
We have simply forgotten God's number one rule of righteousness!!
- Nations Must Acknowledge God:
“The wicked will return to Sheol, Even all the nations who forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)
When a nation deliberately forgets God, refusing to acknowledge Him, turning from godliness to ungodliness, God is morally obligated to punish or discipline such a nation in His time. That is precisely what happened to the nation of Israel time after time, as we see it recorded in the book of Judges. In this book, we see a people, Israel, who went through many cycles of faithfulness and apostasy in their history (cf 2:7ff). They started doing what was right before God but then fell into sin. As a consequence, God allowed other nations to punish them.
God blessed Israel abundantly, but they soon forgot God's laws and ways and rebelled against Him. Once they began suffering because of their sins, they repented and acknowledged God. God would then send a judge to deliver them from their bondage. How sad that they never seemed to learn from their failures and kept going back to the bondage of sin! And because of their rebellious heart forsaking God and His righteousness, they always found themselves in pain and suffering.
What about our nation, the United States of America? Sadly, at least at the public government level, our people have sinned, time after time, against God's authority. Our rulers are turning from the praise of godliness to the praise of ungodliness: in our professed faith, in our politics, in our public education, in the corruption of our monetary system, and certainly in the standards of morality that we officially embrace. Alas, the righteous are a small remnant (only God knows just how small) among the wicked!!
Like Nehemiah said,
“We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded...” (Neh. 1:7)
If we as a nation don't start acknowledging God for Who He is, God will punish us, according to His mercy and kindness, when He decides it is time to do so.
- God Will Judge the Wicked Nations:
God prophesied that He would use a more wicked nation like the Assyrians to punish the nation of Israel when they willfully insisted on sinning against Him. Eventually, God used Assyria as His rod of anger and His staff of indignation (Isa. 10:5). Moreover, He threatened Israel with captivity in verse 7,
“I send it (Assyria) against a godless nation and commission it against the people of My fury to capture booty and to seize plunder. And to trample them down like mud in the streets.”
There is no doubt at all that Assyria was a wicked and ungodly nation. They were aggressively oppressing other weaker nations. I doubt they knew that God was using them to accomplish His will. They simply wanted to destroy other nations. How can a righteous God use a wicked nation to punish His own sinful people? God gives us the answer in Isaiah 10:12.
“So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, 'I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness.”'
You see, God used a more wicked nation to punish the nation of Israel in 722 BC. Then, He used the nation of Babylon to punish Assyria in 612 BC. God can use people and nations without them even realizing it. He does this to judge and punish those whom He rules!!
Don't you think that God used evil people like Hitler and Tojo, as well as nations like Germany and Japan, to punish other nations? How about the nations of England and America to judge and punish them? Could it be possible that God used the wicked actions of men to punish or at least warn our nation on September 11, 2001? God may have a lot in store for our nation through wicked nations, terrorists, and natural disasters, and only He knows what else.
It is arrogant to think that our genius and hard work have made us the greatest nation in the world and nothing can bring us down. If it is God's will, it will happen, and there is nothing you and I can do about it!!
- It will not matter how much security or protection we might have.
- It will not matter how great our military is.
- It will not matter how smart we are.
- God's Longsuffering Toward Wicked Nations Has a Limit!
Though our God is perfect and excellent in every imaginable way, His longsuffering or patience is not without limits. His longsuffering does have a breaking point. God is patient and tolerant, waiting for all (people and nations) to come to repentance. He does not want anyone to perish (lose their soul eternally) (2 Peter 3:9). However, He demands all humanity to be right with Him. Sadly, He gives up on men when they refuse to repent. Nations can fill up their “cup of iniquity” and reach a point where lawlessness is complete without the hope of deliverance.
God is patient, but when men stray from the path of righteousness, refusing to repent, He has to punish them. One example of this is portrayed in Genesis 15:13-16. God intended to punish the Amorites but waited because their sins were not yet complete. Of what sins were the Amorites guilty of “filling their cup”? What sins caused God to lose His patience or longsuffering toward them? The answer is found in Leviticus 18. The Canaanites (or Amorites) and Egyptians were guilty of fornication, incest, uncleanness, adultery, child sacrifice, homosexual sin, bestiality, and profanity. God warned the Israelites not to defile themselves with any of these sins, or they would be punished as well (Leviticus 18:24-25).
Now, don't you think that God can cast out our nation today in the same way and for the same reasons as He did the Amorites? It distresses me to see our people working so eagerly to fill their cup of iniquity! Can you deny that many of our people are precisely committing the same kinds of sins the Amorites were guilty of?
- A growing number of our nation are guilty of fornication, abortion (killing of babies), incest, immorality, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, and profanity.
- Our country officially supports the abortion of her children in the same way that the Amorites slew their children for their man-made gods.
- Our country slays her children for the sake of the gods of convenience and irresponsibility. We are no different than those pagan nations. We are committing the same sins! So why wouldn't God judge us for our iniquities and punish us?! Remember that though God is longsuffering, the day of judgment will come!
- God's Righteous Remnant is What Preserves a Nation:
Indeed, God's righteous remnant can save a nation. Do you remember when Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other neighboring cities of the plain severely sinned, Genesis 18:20? What did God say about the few righteous souls? God said He would not destroy them should there be, among them, even ten righteous souls (Genesis 18:22-32). You see, God would have spared these cities of the plain for only ten righteous souls!!
When a nation crosses the boundaries of lawlessness (that only God knows), God will indeed destroy that nation. God has a limit for every nation. With a grieving heart, I know our God has a bottom line in His mind for our nation and all lawless nations. And if we continue in our sins, crossing the line of lawlessness, falling into the decadence of immorality, there will be a day soon when God may no longer be patient and tolerant toward us. His wrath will be knocking at our door!! May it never be!!
So why is our God still so tolerant amid so much lawlessness? Those few righteous souls still have a good influence on our land. I hope you and I are among those few righteous souls! I hope our godly actions are preserving our land from destruction by God's wrath.
That is precisely what happened to the people of Nineveh. Jonah had warned them that they would be destroyed in forty days. What did they do? They repented, and God spared them in His infinite mercy (Jonah 3:4-10). You see, repentance from all lawlessness saves a nation from destruction (Luke 13:3).
So, what can we do for our nation? The most significant and best thing we can do for her is to repent and be righteous! But we must start teaching the Gospel to the lost. We must renew our efforts to raise a godly seed in our homes. Peter said,
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35).
His Word can open men's hardened hearts. The Gospel can open doors, heal, and provide salvation and peace with God.
III. JESUS REIGNS TODAY AS KING AND HIGH PRIEST:
The Old Testament consistently anticipated and predicted the coming of the Messiah. He would reign as King over His kingdom. He came to earth to establish His kingdom and has reigned as King since the church began on Pentecost. The Messiah is King over all the earth and is subduing nations under their feet. Christ, the King, claimed Himself to be King.
“7 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice"' (John 18:37).
But Jesus was not the King that the Jews were expecting. Why? Because they assumed He would be an earthly king. Jesus declared,
“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” (John 18:36)
In Luke 1:31-33, we read that the angel promised Mary that she would have a Son who would receive the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom would be everlasting and have no end. In Matthew 2:2, the wise men declared that Jesus was born King of the Jews. In John 1:49, Nathaniel (early in Jesus' ministry) stated, “You are the King of Israel.” Jesus did not deny it (cf. John 6:15). In Matthew 27:11 and John 18:37, on trial before Pilate, Jesus admitted to being King (Luke 22:70-71; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3).
Furthermore, after Jesus' resurrection, He declared that all authority in heaven and on earth had been delivered into His hands so that now all nations must obey all His commands (Matt. 28:18-20). The word “king” means “sovereign or monarch; a man who holds the chief authority over a country and people... a person or thing pre-eminent in its class.” Jesus has all authority; therefore, He is King!
The Great Commission by which we are saved from sin is based upon Jesus' present authority. To undermine His position is to belittle our salvation!!
When Peter was preaching to the Jews about Jesus, he quoted David's prophecy but showed that he did not fulfill it personally (Acts 2:27-29; Psalm 16:8-11).
The prophecy of Christ on David's throne was fulfilled in Jesus' resurrection, not in the future at the second coming, as some claim. Jesus is now exalted at God's right hand (position of authority) (Psalm 110:1-2). Jesus is now Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The word “Lord” means ruler, one possessing authority. “Christ” means the “anointed one.” Hence, Peter claimed that Jesus had been anointed to be ruler over all. According to Psalm 110, Jesus must rule at God's right hand until all enemies are put under His feet. That will be accomplished when the enemy (death) is defeated at the resurrection. So Jesus must reign before His second coming. He will not begin His reign after the second coming!
“And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. “ (Acts 2:30-31)
The prophecy of Christ on David's throne was fulfilled in Jesus' resurrection, not in the future at the second coming, as some claim. Jesus is now exalted at God's right hand (position of authority) (Psalm 110:1-2). Jesus is now Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The word “Lord” means ruler, one possessing authority. “Christ” means the “anointed one.” Hence, Peter claimed that Jesus had been anointed to be ruler over all. According to Psalm 110, Jesus must rule at God's right hand until all enemies are put under His feet. That will be accomplished when the enemy (death) is defeated at the resurrection. So Jesus must reign before His second coming. He will not begin His reign after the second coming!
Jesus is sitting at God's right hand; that is, above all, principalities, power, might, dominion, and every name that is named on this earth or that is to come. All things are subject to Him, and He is the Head of all things to the church (Col. 1:13-18; 2:10; 1 Peter 3:21-22; Ephesians 1:20-21). He sat at the right hand of God when He made purification of our sins, i.e., after He died on the cross (Hebrews 1:3-4). Jesus now has a throne and a scepter in His kingdom. He has been anointed above His creation (Hebrews 1:8-9).
Moreover, the apostles acknowledged Jesus as King even after His death.
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
Paul also said,
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”
Jesus, the Messiah, rules over the kings of the earth from a heavenly throne!
Christ's kingdom was also prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14). In Psalm 47:5, in the Messianic context, we read that at the ascension of the Messiah, He would receive an everlasting kingdom and dominion. In verse 9 of this psalm, we also see another Messianic context. We see the peoples of the earth assembling themselves as the people of the God of Abraham. Under the Messiah's reign, the peoples of the earth, i.e., the Gentiles, could gather themselves as the people of the God of Abraham. To be the people of the God of Abraham is to be Israel spiritually. Paul made this point in Romans 9:6-8:
“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be namedo.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.”
Paul affirmed that not all physical Israel was the true Israel. To be God's people is not about being a physical descendant but instead being a child according to the promise through obedience to God.
In Ephesians 2:11-20, we see that Christ fulfilled Psalm 47:9 by reconciling all peoples to Him, making them all the people of the God of Abraham.
In Hebrews 2:17, we read that Jesus became High Priest to make propitiation for our sins. He can save us forever through His priesthood, and He is always making intercession for us (Heb. 7:24-25). As High Priest, He entered the Holy Place to obtain eternal redemption by offering His own blood as our sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-12; 24-28). And without the shedding of His blood, there is no remission or forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Testament, the sacrifices of animals could never forgive sins (Hebrews 10:3-4). By Jesus offering Himself as High Priest, we can now have forgiveness of sins!! (Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-22)
There are many prophesies in the Old Testament regarding Jesus as High Priest (Psalm 110;1-4; Genesis 14:18; Zechariah 6:12-13; Isaiah 53:2; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Romans 15:12). Jesus was prophesied to rule on His throne and be Priest on His throne, King, and Priest at the same time. Salvation is offered free to all through Him.
Therefore, as King and Lord, Christ rules now. He is in charge of all the affairs of the earth; He is now reigning over all the nations. He has all power and control over all the nations of the earth. This is precisely what Daniel prophesied in Daniel 7:27.
“Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.”
Paul made this profound statement in Romans 13:1,
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
Just as God made all the nations rise and fall in the Old Testament (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece), God made nations rise and fall in the New Testament (Rome and Jerusalem). He still has all power to establish governments and destroy them. This is our hope as His children. We are part of His Son's kingdom. Though we live in this nation, we are still under the rule of His Son. We are fellow heirs and partakers of His Son's kingdom even though we live on earth. We cannot see it yet, but we know by heart that it does exist!!! Christ's power and dominion will never fail, even if all the world powers were to come against it. Therefore, as Psalm 47 declares, let us clap our hands in applause. Let us also appreciate what God has done to give us such a majestic kingdom through His Son. Let us live as citizens in God's kingdom, offering due honor to our King!
CONCLUSION:
We are so blessed to live in a country where we still have a voice in the election process. God is ultimately in control (Daniel 2:21; 4:17; 34-35). Jesus, our Lord, has the ultimate authority (Matt. 28:18). He is Head over all things (Eph. 1:20-21; 1 Peter 3:22). He is King of kings and Lord of lords of all the earth and heaven (Rev. 1:5). And no matter who is president, king, or dictator, God rules over all!!!
So, when the election is over, remember that we must trust in the sovereignty of God. All things will work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31-34) Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). No matter who rules and what rulers may do, for good or ill, we are in God's protecting hands!! Remember that!!
Though we might not know what is in store for us, we know He holds the future in His hands. He will give us both comfort and courage to bear everything. When we trust in God, there is no need to fear. The Word of God answers all our fears, problems, obstacles, and worries. Remember how God has always blessed His people richly through His mighty deliverance and help throughout all history.
Remember also that our citizenship is in heaven and that we are pilgrims, living among the nations of men (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:19; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11). This world is not our home. We are just passing through. We must not become too attached to the things of this world, which can render us fruitless (Luke 8:14). Yes, we must guard our hearts against the love of this world, including politics! (1 John 2:15-17)
Therefore, let us first seek God's rule (Matt. 6:33) and proclaim His mercies (1 Peter 2:9-10). The kingdom of God and His righteousness must be our primary focus. Why not refocus on the saving Gospel of Christ to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20)? Are we letting politics render us fruitless in the work of the Lord? Are we fulfilling the Great Commission? Or are we being distracted by earthly things?
Though we might be discouraged because of our elected leaders, let us never forget the One who is truly in charge. Therefore, when the election is over, whether our preferred candidate won or not, let us renew our trust in the Sovereign God. Let us reaffirm our heavenly citizenship. Let us refocus on our primary goal. Let us resolve to give leaders their due. Let us keep praying for godly rulers. Let us keep living righteously and not defile ourselves, and finally, let us all resume our role as peacemakers. Remember that righteousness exalts a nation, and sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).
May we keep ourselves without blame amid a perverse generation. May we trust God with our hearts, minds, and souls and not fear. May we go to Him in prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and humility, refusing all fear and worry. May we never forget, when we are afraid, that He is at our side and will help us fight our battles. May He continue to uphold us. May we rest in Him, the Rock of our salvation. May we always seek His kingdom of righteousness so He might take care of us. He has promised He will never desert us, nor will He ever forsake us!
Luci
Luci
No comments:
Post a Comment