PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 47
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” (Psalm 47:1)
Imagine being bullied for years, then finally being vindicated.
Think of your joy and gratitude for your protector and benefactor.
This is the feeling behind Psalm 47, the praise of the victim vindicated.
This psalm was likely written for when the Ark of God was first placed in the temple.
The message here is not just for Israel but for “all you nations” (v.1).
God stands up for everyone, and always resists the cruel and unjust…
God will even oppose Israel (or the church) if they become bullies.
God is not just good to His own chosen people, but to all people.
Anyone can find shelter and protection and justice from Him.
Sadly, too many people have suffered at the hands of the bully church.
The church has actually hindered people from celebrating God’s reign.
As Jesus followers, we join with Jesus in giving people reason to “clap their hands”.
We stand with the underdog, we resist injustice and violence and help the weak.
Is our joy in Jesus as king giving other people reason to celebrate?
PRAYER
Lord, may Your kingdom come in me and in this community, and may the people living here join in the celebration that You are King!
The victory belongs to Jesus! He has won the victory of sin and death so that we may reign. It is harder to think that the victory has already been achieved- its the victory ‘parade’ that hasn’t happened yet – I am still mired in everyday life with its anxieties and challenges – but the Psalm urges me and reminds me to look beyond that – not to loose hope but to continue to work and serve with a sense of mission that Jesus had. Help me not to lose that focus, Lord!
He reigns.
Our God reigns.
That is my comfort in times like these, knowing that He is in charge and has won the battle. In that power I go forward each day.
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!