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Presented, May 6, 2007 pm
WHERE THE EYE OF THE LORD IS
Psalm 33
Tonight we continue our study of the psalms. This is another interesting psalm in which David praises God (as usual). This time he acknowledges the greatness and power of God.
I. A Call to praise God in song (1-3)
a.
The beauty of praise – one of the
reasons for this series to learn how to better praise Him and be reminded of how
praiseworthy He is. This psalm emphasizes WHY He is worthy of praise. Acts
2:47 notes that the people were “praising God…”
Hebrews 13:5 calls for us to offer “the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the
fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
b. Vs. 2-3 – David speaks of praising God both with our songs and instruments of music. These are expressions of our joy that we offer to God both with our voices and our talents.
c.
Does this justify the use of
instruments today? NO!
IT is obvious that David wrote under the Old Law which was nailed to the cross –
Colossians 2:14 and thus the things they did under that law do not apply to us
today.
I believe that the use of these instruments was authorized under that Law – 2
Chronicles 29:25. Today we are only authorized to sing – Ephesians 5:19,
“making melody in your hearts to the Lord.” Note also again Hebrews 13:5.
II. The word of the Lord is right (4-9)
a.
What does the expression “word of the
Lord” mean? It reference that which is uttered from His mouth. We must
continually remind ourselves of the value of that which we hold in our hands and
study. It is God’s message to us. It is inspired – 2 Timothy 3:16 – literally,
“God breathed”. It is the oracles of God – 1 Peter 4:11. Hebrews 5:12 rebukes
the readers for not having developed in the use of His word. Do we treat it
with due reverence? Do we cherish it as one of our precious possessions? Is it
one of our favorite things that we cannot live without?
BUT, in addition to it being His message to us, His word demonstrates His
power. He speaks and it comes to pass. It is in this vein that this text
speaks of His word. See Hebrews 4:12
b.
The nature of His word –
truth, righteousness and justice and goodness. It is also right!
There is nothing corrupt about His message to us, nor that which He does. And
He loves those who follow after Him and His word.
The earth shows His goodness – Matthew 5:45 notes that God has
done good for all who are on the earth, even those who are evil. Without
partiality He makes His sun shine on all, etc. Also note Matthew 6:28-30 where
Jesus says not to worry because God is in control and knows what we need. Not
only does He care and provide for us, but for all mankind and even the animals,
etc. Consider the magnitude of that!
c.
The power of His word –
(vs. 6-7) is seen this world.
Never forget that is was by His word that the worlds were created. He spoke and
it happened. Genesis 1:3 says, “And God said…” Hebrews 11:3 notes that by
faith we understand that the worlds were framed by His word. He created the
heavens (Genesis 1:6)
AND He controls the waters and that is in this earth. 2 Peter 3:5-6 notes that
nature is also controlled by His word. Man worries and paints the doomsday
scenarios for all creation – be it a meteor or global warming (or cooling) or
using up all its resources – but he forgets that God is IN CONTROL. This world
is designed to last as long as He desires it to stay. And there is NOTHING that
man can do about that! Whatever He speaks happens and it LASTS! (vs. 9)
d. Therefore, stand in awe of Him (8). Instead of man, arrogantly rejecting Him and His power, let us, “all the inhabitants of the world” stand in awe of Him. He has the power to sustain and to withhold. Colossians 1:16-17, speaking of Christ, who is the Son of God and part of creation we note that “in Him all things consist.”
III. The counsel of the Lord stands forever (10-17)
a.
Another demonstration of His power is
the influence He has had on mankind throughout history.
BY faith, we accept the accounts of the Bible as accurate and they demonstrate
that God raises and brings down nations at His will and through His providential
(and sometimes miraculous) powers.
He brings the counsel of men to nothing (10).
He makes the plans of peoples of no effect. We know by history
that the most corrupt and arrogant of nations and powers only last for so long.
We know that we live in an unstable world and what seems to be unstable times.
We are frustrated at the way things happen and how we can’t control it. But,
when the impossible seems to be rearing its head, God CAN change it at His
will. This too, has been demonstrated through time – as wars have been
prevented or won with what seems to be impossible odds, etc.
But perhaps the greatest example of this is the redemption of
mankind. A plan that was in His mind even before the worlds were created
(Ephesians 3:11) has been brought to its full power in Christ Jesus coming and
dying for all mankind. See vs. 11 of our text which notes that His counsel
stands forever. Hebrews 13:8 speaks of Jesus being the same, “yesterday,
today and forever.”
b. Blessed is the nation who puts his trust in God (11-12). Proverbs 14:34 says that righteousness exalts a nation. We have seen, again in history, the strength of nations that have put their trust in God and His word. That which God has commanded is good for all mankind and it WILL sustain any nation as long as it is maintained.
c.
His power against nations illustrated
(13-17).
First David notes that God sees all things – we cannot hide from Him – Hebrews
4:13
Second, He fashions hearts individually and considers their works – in this is
consolation. While events unfold on a large scale, God knows every single soul
personally. He will not judge you by the corruption of the people around you –
but by your own deeds. The world may reject His word – but you don’t have to.
AND because of this you will NOT have any excuse as you stand before Him.
Vs. 16-17 - No king or beast of war or weapon can stand in His way of
accomplishing His will. Nor can they snatch anyone who belongs to Him away.
IV. The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him (18-19)
a.
Just as He knows the wicked, He knows
those who are His.
2 Timothy 2:19 says that the Lord knows those who are His.
b.
He sustains them and can deliver them.
John 10:27-29 – Jesus speaks of being the true Shepherd and notes that He knows
all who belong to Him, and that NONE can snatch away those who belong to Him.
While the world might not care about you and resist your stand
2 Peter 2:9 says that the “Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of
temptations…”
V. Therefore, let us hope in Him (20-22)
a. Having acknowledged God’s goodness and greatness, now David reacts. This is what he and all the godly will do.
b.
We must learn to wait on the Lord –
that means that with patience, we will accept HIS timeframe to accomplish His
will within us. We trust Him – Luke 18:7 notes that He will avenge those who
belong to Him, “though he bears long with them.”
Isaiah 40:31 says that they who wait on the Lord will soar like eagles…
c.
We will trust Him we will rejoice –
that is what faith is about! As our text says – He is our help and shield.
This means that He will protect us and be there for us.
Hebrews 13:6 says that He is our helper so what can man do to us.
d. We will rejoice in Him – going back to the beginning of this psalm where David called for rejoicing. Philippians 3:1 tells us to rejoice in the Lord. 4:4 says to rejoice in the Lord always.
e. We hope in You – we put at stake all that we have in Him. We trust knowing that something better is yet to come. We await an eternal reward in heaven.
That hope is founded upon what we have already seen. We know His power in our lives and how He is in control of all things. Truly, that is great cause to rejoice in and praise Him. What about you? Do you have cause for rejoicing?