CLIMBING THE MT EVEREST OF SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 93:1-5

Steve Lawson wrote in the “Expositor” magazine this profound truth about the Psalms. “As the expositor opens the book of Psalms, he is like a mountain climber poised at the base of a snow-capped summit, ready to scale its towering heights. With each individual psalm, there is a steep ascent upward into the heights of heaven, up to the throne of God. The Psalter rises high above the landscape of Scripture, transcendent in its beauty and magnificent in its grandeur. As the longest book in the Bible, it is, quite frankly, the Mount Everest of Scripture.”

 

Robert Godfrey said this about the Psalms. “The beauty of the language and the poetic expressions of the great truths of the faith and the discovery that the more you dig into the Psalter, the more you discover. The Psalms are like a mine with ever new depths to reach and ever more gold to find.”

 

What is before us this morning is a prime example of what Robert Godfrey is speaking about. A mine that is worth digging because you will find more gold. “Mining Gold” meaning….. the beauties of our God, the beauties that sustain you and me, as we endure this season of unrest and uncertainties. Gold, that will encourage our weary hearts to find rest, hope and strength to make wise and proper decision for His glory and our good. It’s climbing the Mount Everest of Scripture is what gets us through as we are faced with as… families, individual, as a church, in a span of time that have causes a lot of mix-emotions.

 

Some are healthy emotions and

some very unhealthy.

 

The Psalms have a way of settling our hearts to see clearly who we love and serve and why we exist. The Psalms have been a tower of strength for believers in every experience of life. The Psalm that is before us this morning speaks of majesty; it describes the grandeur of God’s sovereign reign from His throne over all His creation. This Psalm demonstrates the foundational truth of all Christian theology, the bedrock of doctrines that God sovereignly reigns and rules. This Psalm describes and comforts the reader about His providential care by which He sustains, controls, and directs all He has made. This Psalm rejoices that God reigns triumphantly over all, even despite the sinful rebellion of human beings.

 

1. The Sovereign Reign Of God

 

“The LORD reigns” this gives evidence to His Kingship. Which means? God’s reign is continual, unhindered, to freely exercise His supreme authority over all. Theologians say Psalm 93 is an “Enthronement psalm” meaning: this psalm celebrates God’s sovereign Kingship over all the earth. The Eternal, Sovereign God, universally reigns over everything and it’s this truth we in turn worship Him in all His Kingly glory. The Psalmist writes “He is robed in majesty” this describes the regal garments worn by a victorious king. (v1) God is clothed with apparel that points to His supremacy and kingly reign over all. The Psalmist writes “He is armed with strength” it’s a picture of a mighty warrior that overshadows all earthly kingdoms. (v1b)

 

The Psalmist goes on to say God is sovereign and “the world is firmly established.” (v1c) This means! Not only the physical planet, but the moral, social and spiritual laws of this world have been ordained by God Himself. This is a “Theocratic” (A word first used by Josephus to denote that the Jews were under the direct government of God himself. In simple terms this means “Rule by God" and this refer to His government in which He sovereignly governs. This psalm expresses that rule as it leads up to Psalm 100. In Psalm 96:10 it reads “Say amoung the nations, “The LORD reigns” In Psalm 97:1 we read “The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice.” In Psalm 99:1 we read “The LORD reigns; let the people tremble.” This is why we worship His Kingship, His sovereign reign “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

 

God reigns over… every realm of His universe, whether it be nature, nations, history, salvation, or eternal destines of mankind. This is the unbeatable Sovereign God, who is over heaven and earth. And the Scripture declare that He “upholding all things by the word of His power,” Heb 1:3

In Nehemiah’s letter we read about God’s providential plan over His people and he begins with this truth to set the stage. “You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. "You are the LORD God.” Neh 9:6-7

 

This is the God who reigns and gives us our every breath as Elihu spoke. “If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.” Job 34:14-15

He is the sovereign God, not mother-nature who causes all natural occurrences; as we see the LORD asks Job a barrage of questions. “Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail, Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war? By what way is light diffused, Or the east wind scattered over the earth? "Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, Or a path for the thunderbolt, To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one, A wilderness in which there is no man; To satisfy the desolate waste, And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass? Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth? The waters harden like stone, And the surface of the deep is frozen.” Job 38:22-30

 

This truth that is before us demonstrates that the eternal counsel of the LORD cannot be altered by the plans of mere men. His “throne is established” from eternity past, meaning uncreated and without beginning. (v2) God has eternally existed and He supremely reigns before time began. “Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Acts 17:22-25. God has been the sovereign ruler since the foundation of the world.

 

And my question for you and me is!

 

Do you believe this? 

Why are we so troubled by this present world? 

Why are we looking back and falling into fear, depression, suicidal thoughts, despair, bitterness and apathy?

If someone asked me to describe this past year in word what would that be? The sinful disposition of Michael would say “It stunk” But if I look back through the lenses of Scripture, as I should, I would say “Blessed”

 

Blessed to know…. 

That God is still on the throne.

That God is doing a work in me and you.

That God has allowed me to see the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.

That God still loves me despite my thoughts about this past year and the present.

That God has you and I right where He wants us to be.

That God gives life and takes life for His glory.

That God is not scared about man, viruses and governments.

That God’s Word never changes and it’s absolute over my life.

That God gave His Son and nothing else is required for us to enter His rest, but repentance and faith.

That God is our Great reigning King who is in complete control of all things.

That God is God and He reigns supremely despite what tomorrow brings.

That God is King and He demonstrated that in His Son.

 

We read in Luke 19:37-38 this joyful proclamation by the disciples. “Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: " 'BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! But the Pharisees didn’t like. “And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:39-40. Just like the Pharisees, this present world would disagree with me that we are blessed; and they would let you know that by making their rebellious voices heard. (v3)

 

2. The Sinful Rebellion Of The World. (v3)

 

Their rebellious hearts scream from the mountain top their complete disdain for this life they live. They see their lives as a burden, not fair that this is happening to them (me), so they blame God for this. And worst of all they fight to make God dead, they kill God in their hearts because they hate God.

 

“The seas have lifted up their voice; the sea have

lifted up their pounding waves.”

 

This description given in (v3) gives a poetic representation of the moral disorder present in the world. The uncontrolled chaos of society. These pounding waves that crash against the beach symbolize all that comes and opposes the Lord’s Kingdom. In Psalm 2:1-4 we read about this rebellion. “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." But (v4) says “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.” In opposition to God’s sovereignty is the rebellious world, ruined by man’s fall into sin. And all the destructive power of sin and Satan, that rage and roar like a mighty river, will never deter the mighty plan and purposes of God. But the truth is… God is Mightier than all, and He freely exercises His unrivaled authority over all without any hindrances. Psalm 2 says “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.” He sits undisturbed and unmoved in heaven; while men rage against Him, and while they combine to cast off His authority. God, our reigning King, continues to execute His plan over mankind. All the while holding the rebellious sinner in contempt with His sovereign smile. Psalm 93 finishes with a smile like this at the rebellious heart of mankind.

 

3. God is Mightier Than All (v4-v5)

 

The Psalmist concludes with “Your decrees are very trustworthy.” God’s decrees are not just “trustworthy” but “very trustworthy”. “Decree” is a rule of law usually issued by a head of state, according to certain procedures. It has the force of law. The Scriptures say “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. Ligonier Ministries defined God’s decrees this way. “God in His sovereignty actively controls all that happens in creation, and He does so according to “the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11). In other words, our Creator has a wise plan for His creation, and He works in His creation to bring this plan to pass. As we will see, this plan governs everything that happens, from the most significant events of history to seemingly random events like the roll of a pair of dice. But for now, it is enough for us to note that God has a perfect plan and purpose for all things.”

 

God decrees means? Everything is His because He made the universe and established all the natural laws and processes by which the universe continues to exist and through which plants, animals, and people continue to circulate themselves. As Creator, He established a stable order in which His creation could flourish. Psalm 50 elevates this decree to the superlative. “The Mighty One, God the LORD, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people: "Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah "Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices Or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes. "Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." Psalm 50:1-23

 

This gives us the sure confidence and hope for our lives, because God who Kingly rules, has spoken, sure, never to rescinded. His statutes are all life-giving directives for His people. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:7-10. Knowing that God decrees… all things according to His will and He is also unchanging in His holiness. Should remove any unrest you might be carrying around as a friend or baggage. His transcendence and holiness adorns your house for endless days. This is the Psalmist praise! God who is eternal, absolute, holy, unchanging perfect in His person and all His ways cares for you and me.

 

This should cause our hearts to be stirred to

repentance for our unbelief.

 

Because! We tend to stare down the dark corridor of this past year and say “Good riddance and I never what to see you again” But in reality it’s exactly where God wanted each and every one us to be; and He will continue to do the same this year. Not so you…. become embittered with resentment or anger towards the Holy One. But that you… would take His Word that is unchanging and life giving as you endure this life for His glory. The gospel never tastes so good when you line up with this past year. But knowing what the Psalmist writes should change our….outlook, our thoughts, our behavior, our actions. We have a grand, Mighty Warrior who stands over this world and says “the LORD reigns and the world is established: it shall never be moved” We are to thinking upon these things as we face today and tomorrow. Our thoughts are to be on His Kingly reign as we worship Him in all His glory.

God reigns, not Satan,

not man, not other gods.

 

Not… world rulers, foreign powers, not circumstances, not random fate or chance. But God! The Lord reigns in all His mighty power for His glory and our good.