Week of August 18

Court bailiffs announce the entry of a judge with the familiar, “All rise!” This demonstration of respect for the rule of law is a critical part of our legal system in American democracy. However, I watched a video one time of a judge reading a verdict and then the person on trial literally vaulted over the judge’s bench to take revenge upon the judge and her judgment! Some of our rebellion may not be as violent as this action was, but we should carefully consider whether we truly have yielded our lives to the Lord.
 
The psalmist calls for Israel to boldly declare to the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The long line of Old Testament prophets, who breathed God’s message of judgment and called that nation to repentance, leaves no doubt that Israel often failed to show God genuine reverence. Will there ever be a people whose hearts and bodies reflect this call to worship? Let’s consider the psalmist’s call to true worship today.

Psalm 96 belongs to a group of psalms that are united by “genre and motif” (cf. Pss. 93-100; EBC). Once you read these psalms, you may instantly think of favorite hymns and choruses that celebrate “God’s kingship.” Tradition holds that this particular hymn originated with the ark of the covenant being brought into Jerusalem or even when the temple was rebuilt after the exile. We do not really know accurately the beginning of the song, but we do know the intent was to arouse true praise for God’s reign. The song should raise an important question in our minds: How may we offer God the type of worship this psalm requires (cf. Romans 12:2)?
 
The prophets, as I suggest in the introduction, knew what was needed for sincere adoration of God. This psalm may in fact well hold a relationship with the prophet Isaiah: no compromise with idolatry (vv. 4b-5a; Isaiah 40:18-31; 41:21-24; 44:6-8); creation (v. 5b, 11-12; Isaiah 40:22; 42:5; 44:24; 45:12); creation’s response to God’s redemption (vv. 11-12; Isaiah 49:13; 55:12); and the nations (vv. 9b, 13; Isaiah 45:20; 49:7; 56:3-8; 60:9-12; EBC). So, how may we unite our words with our way of life in order to honor God with our entire beings?

First, we may honor God by praising Him for His creation. I know there has been a century-long debate over creation versus evolution. The divide has fostered much division within the life of the church and hindered our worship. The psalmist knew nothing of such a gulf, because he saw God’s handiwork all around him. I believe a way forward would be to determine in our minds and hearts to “see” God’s hand of order and beauty throughout the earth that replenishes itself (Hebrews 11:3). He makes things new all around us. If so, then praise Him for providing you with firm ground on which to stand, glorious “room decorations” that surround you in nature, and a heavenly “ceiling” above your head in the moon and stars!
 
Secondly, we see something of God’s power in nature (“established”). There is no earthly power that can threaten God’s rightful sovereignty over the earth. I’m no rocket scientist, but I have witnessed in my lifetime the inability of humankind to master the planet on which we live as tenants!
 
Thirdly, we may worship God wholly when we praise Him for judging the world—all its peoples—“fairly and squarely” (cf. righteousness and justice; Psalm 9:8; Handbook). We have seen evidence in numerous cases where guilty defendants in trials were set free by judges. Oppressors will be no more when God judges. We have seen proof of this in Christ’s coming into the world. So, the psalmist reviews God’s record and states unequivocally that we may trust fully God’s judgments and, as a result, calls us to praise Him. We have three good reasons to “rise” in worship before our Lord!

I have occasion to worship in various churches, whether I am preaching or attending other services in congregations where my adult children attend. I have noticed that certain songs awaken in me and others a direct appeal to stand in honor of our great God. It does not take long for others in these services to stand to their feet and soon the entire congregation is doing the same. Our psalm is written in such a way that our lives are to embody this attitude of worship wherever we are in God’s creation.

1. Have you been like the man I mentioned in the introduction? Are you holding rebellion in your heart? Several grievances may come to your mind at this very moment. The psalmist invites you to follow the three-step pattern above and praise the God of justice for His watch care over all creation, including your life. Lay the injustices at His feet.
 
2. For Families: This psalm, as we have learned today, gives us three steps to teach our children about rightful praise and response to our Holy and Good God: We are to praise Him for His creation in nature, for His power, and for judging all people fairly. How can we help our children to practice this? By teaching them that God, and things of God, are to be respected above all else.

This week, change up your prayer patterns at bedtime and invite your children to pray with you along this three-step guide. First, invite your children to Praise God for His creation. God is such an artist! Have them name several things in nature they love best, and thank God for making them.

Next, invite prayers about God’s power. He holds all of the earth together, controls the weather, the storms, the earthquakes, the hurricanes, wind, the earth itself, and all living things upon the earth. Ask your children what is the strongest thing on the earth? God controls everything, and yet He loves newborn babies, beautiful flowers, all of the animals, and creates the love we share in our families.

Finally, invite your children to praise God for being fair in all His ways. Remind them that sometimes, with our eyes, we cannot always see God at work, but God promises that His ways will always turn out to be fair and just. Thank God for His awesomeness together, and tell Him of your deepest respect. Model how to live under God’s rule.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock