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Psalm 97 – You could not get a stronger - more positive opening – than this. Read through Psalm 97 .

These words are so simple - so clear - so factual - with no room for wondering.

The earth has every reason to rejoice and be glad - God is in control - and the distant shores - (which includes us) - are in a position to rejoice - all because God the Creator reigns - and He will continue to reign.

This is not just a position on a Throne - this is not just a post - an office - or even a belief - this is a reality. Jesus is King - He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Reading through these Psalm once again - there is almost a flowing - one seems to flow into the next - as we read of these important and powerful and reassuring themes.

Come - give thanks - the greatness of God - bow down in worship - sing - proclaim - declare - say.

The Psalmist even addresses Creation - to celebrate - to sing for joy - and all this is said because God reigns. Our God reigns. When we hear the words of protesters we do not hear many words praising and thanking and worshipping our creator God!

This is at the heart and core of the Gospel - this is central - as Jesus of Nazareth walks onto the stage. He challenges the devil. He deals with the works of the devil.

Jesus heals the sick - enables the lame to walk - opens the eyes of the blind - walks on water - feeds the hungry - chooses men whom He is about to change totally - out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light - that unshakeable kingdom.

Verse 2 – Even when God reveals Himself - there has to be a degree of veiling - because of the brightness and brilliance of His Majesty and Glory. It is part of the glory of God to conceal a thing.

This passage almost suggests that we can be impertinent at times in trying to pry into the workings of the Creator God Who reigns. But give thanks for those times when he has lifted the veil and allowed you to see something of His Glory and something of His Power. His Throne has a very firm and solid foundation.

There is no other Throne in the world with such a foundation - and when you consider everything which flows from His Throne, we are so highly privileged that such words can almost sound banal.

Absolute power is safe in the hands of Jesus Christ - who cannot err - behave badly or act unrighteously. Other reigns produce injustice - oppression - corruption - bloodshed - terror - but the Kingdom of God is different - very different.

Verse 3 – There is a note of judgement sounded. In these Psalm which appear so straightforward and non-controversial - there are topics raised on which many are silent in these present days.

Verse 4 is very much a picture of judgement. His light enlightens everything - all that man has attempted to hide, suppress, and conceal is revealed - and, because the earth knows what is coming, it trembles.

Verse 5 . How do we read verse 5? Is this judgement? Or is this bowing in worship - melting in adoration, as they bow before the Throne of God.

Verse 6 . The heavens proclaim - and all the people see His Glory. It is written across the skies. The majesty - the total unquestionable authority of our God - and then Verse 7 speaks of the sheer stupidity of worshipping idols - "all you false gods, Worship Him"! One day Mohammed will appear before Jesus - Buddha will appear before Jesus Christ.

Verse 8 – Zion hears and rejoices - the villages of Judah are glad - why? Because of your judgements O God. Now - I am sure the Psalmist was referring to the surrounding warring nations at that time - but these Psalm are quoted in the New Testament - and we can read them in the light of Jesus Christ. The Psalmist speaks about Zion and Judah - Jesus speaks about Jerusalem and Judea.

Verse 9 – The Psalmist returns to one of his favourite themes - the greatness of God - and how our God is exalted.

Verse 10 – Because of all he has been saying - there are moral implications - moral requirements - demands - and expectations and consequences. Let those who love the Lord HATE evil. That is strong. He guards the lives of His faithful ones - and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Again - we have to be careful - this is true - but things happen to us and to others in this sinful world - where it could appear that God was not guarding us - and not looking after the lives of His faithful ones. Some people - on seeing painful things come across our paths, jump to the wrong conclusion - suggesting that we are suffering because of our unfaithfulness.

As disciples of Jesus, we have to balance this, with what is written in other parts of the Bible - and read of what happened to John the Baptist - to Peter and James and John - to Stephen - to Paul. Jesus teaches His disciples that all our enemies can do is kill the body - and then we are ushered into the presence of our reigning Saviour and Lord.

Verse 11 – That is why we need light - the light and insight and revelation of the whole of the Word of God. If we are in darkness and uncertainty, there is light available to us, if we look for it and search for it. Right leads to light.

Verse 12 . The Psalmist knew what it was to suffer - David knew what it was to have his life threatened - and to be tempted by sin to fall and be forgiven - and to be aware that even he could have had the Holy Spirit taken from him. He had this whole mixture of experience - as we do too.

The call here is to rejoice - the Psalmist has called upon the earth to rejoice - now he appears to be inviting the people of God to lead the rejoicing - even when we do not feel like rejoicing.

Paul speaks about rejoicing in the Lord always - even when in that Philippian jail we read of Silas and Paul singing praises to God at midnight. This is not a natural thing to do - this is a supernatural reaction - this was a sign to the world that that man is different - and the world saw it. People noticed that there was something different - something unusual - about these prisoners.

If others fail to praise the Name of God - we must not fail! His Name is holy – and an unholy Gospel is no Gospel at all.

Abba - with awe. Fatherliness - with fear and reverence - Worship with wonder - Praising His Name as we remember the price He paid - singing with uplifted hearts and hands to the Saviour Who shed His Blood to wash us - offering our whole self to Him Who is Holy and Righteous - to Jesus Christ.

“Father God – loving Father – we bow in worship – we come before You with praise and adoration – for You are worthy. We thank You for every blessing we have, in and through Jesus Christ. We thank You for the Scriptures – for the Bible – speak to us day by day as we read and study and meditate upon Your Holy Word. We pray in Jesus’ Name.” Amen.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The First Sin