This passage highlights the contrast between the Old Testament view of God and the New Testament--after Jesus came. Of course, we know that God is the same! Jesus has made it possible for us, as
God 's children, to come joyfully into God's presence. In fact, He invites us to come to Him offering us forgiveness and peace. vv. 18-24
However, this does not mean that we should take God lightly! We must not refuse to listen to God, because He is, after all, the same fearsome God depicted in the Old Testament. Eventually, this world will be shaken and destroyed, and only God's Kingdom will remain. "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire." vv. 18-29
Psalm 135
This is a beautiful hymn of praise! We serve a living and personal God who sees and knows everything about us and who loves and cares for us. We do not worship an idol made with hands. (see vv. 15-18) I love the description here of the idols shaped by human hands, which have mouths but cannot speak and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear and noses but cannot smell. "And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them." v. 18 Our Heavenly Father stands in sharp contrast to worthless idols (which might include anything we trust in God's place.)
"I know the greatness of the Lord--that our Lord is greater than any other god. The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in the depths." vv. 5-6
Sometimes we think we need to understand everything God does, but this is not true. In order to understand God's ways perfectly, we'd have to BE God! We are called to trust Him and to praise Him!
He is good! v. 3
God's name endures forever; His fame is known to every generation. v. 13 He never falters nor fails.
Yesterday in church a quartet sang a song by Matt Redman entitled, "Blessed Be Your Name." One line in particular stuck in my memory, "...every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise." What a great discipline this would be. Instead of taking God's blessings for granted, we should use every one of them as an opportunity to praise the Lord! And then, "When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord..." (Read more: Matt Redman - Blessed Be Your Name Lyrics | MetroLyrics)
And so, whether we are up or down, we still praise the name of Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment