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by Sandy Shaw
In Psalm 98 verse 4 – the Psalmist encourages singing and praise and the worship of Almighty God. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth - burst into jubilant song with music. There is a new song because He is coming - and now today we have another new song because He has come - and is coming again.
The Psalmist really begins to overflow - it is as though he cannot get sufficient avenues available to praise the living God. Harp - sound of singing - trumpets - blasts of rams' horns - and if you have no instrument or cannot play an instrument, shout for joy before the Lord, the King. There is a vigour and vitality in these words. The volume of praise is accumulating and gathering.
This is very different from what we hear from the “Climate Change” and the “Global Warning” protesters. Do you see how situations and circumstances and attitudes and behaviours and activities change dramatically when man moves away from the Word of God – from the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
John Wesley said to those converted under his ministry - "Lift up your voice with strength - beware of singing as if you were half dead or asleep - be no more afraid of your voice now, nor ashamed of it being heard, than when you sang the songs of satan!"
This is not something I have ever had to do over these past 50 years - not once. "Stop the volume and quantity of singing and praise and worship - quieten down now so that we can turn to the Word of God." I have been in a meeting in Cober Hill Yorkshire - at a Conference - where something like that did actually happen.
There is a sense of celebration here - celebrate what God has done - in Jesus Christ - through Jesus Christ - sing and celebrate - yes, joyfully and with awe and reverence and solemnity too.
Satan we read is the accuser of the brethren - so how can we silence him?
Is it possible? Yes. David shows us 'how to' - by praise. When our praise flows and ascends - that can silence the enemy.
Praise cancels his accusation and stops his mouth. It enables us to live our lives without constant continual condemnation from his accusations. Through our praise to God - we invoke - we bring down - the presence and power of God against all the forces which oppose us.
Verse 7 – On he goes even further - as he speaks about the Creation again. Let the seas resound - and all that is in it. The world and all who live in it - let the rivers clap their hands - the trees I can understand - other phrases I cannot - but I believe it will happen one day - and it will be just as it is written here - and we will say - "Ah I see now - that is what You meant."
Let the mountains sing together for joy. Let them all sing before the Lord. WHY?
This reason could silence some people - because He is coming to judge the earth - not a very popular theme in these present days.
The Psalmist speaks about judgement to the People of God - to people who are praising. Does He hear - is He aware of some people reacting - "O no not judgement - do not speak about that - just love and mercy and healing and revival and nice things." Because - He underlines it in these closing words.
HE WILL JUDGE the world - do not think He won't - don't think people will get off.
He will do it with righteousness - and the peoples with equity. God will be absolutely fair.
To return to verse 2 - what is God making known to you? What has God revealed to you? What is He revealing to you? Today, or over these past weeks, what is our Almighty God saying to you as you read His Holy Word – this Word which is like no other word – this Book, the Bible, which is like no other book.
“Lord our God – Almighty Father – we take these moments to thank You and praise You and worship You – for the many and various ways in which you bless us – for the mercy and forgiveness and grace and love we enjoy. We do not take these blessings for granted. We thank You for Your grace – for taking the initiative in Jesus Christ – to offer such love to us the undeserving.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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