Is the existence of God self-evident in the design of nature, its complex functionality, the obvious foresight and order? Let’s review Psalm 97.
Does God reign or is the earth a total accident, no planning, no DNA coded, no ecosystem, no design? When Jesus returns and God rules the earth will people feel oppressed or rejoice with gladness?
The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad. (Ps 97:1 HCSB)
Does a simple storm remind us that a cloud covered Mount Sinai, that a cloud filled the tabernacle, that the mountains would melt simply at God’s presence?
Thick clouds are all around him; righteousness and justice are his throne’s foundation. Fire goes out from his presence to consume his enemies on every side. His lightning bolts light the world; the earth sees and shakes. Mountains melt like wax in the Lord’s presence—In the presence of the Lord of all the earth. (Ps 97:2-5 ISV)
Does the mere existence of the heavens declare God’s righteousness? Do we see it?
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. (Ps 97:6 KJV)
Are idols anything to be proud of? Do statues carry any power like God?
Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, Who boast of idols; Worship Him, all you gods! Zion heard this and was glad, And the daughters of Judah have rejoiced Because of Your judgments, O Yahweh. For You are Yahweh Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. (Ps 97:7-9 LSB)
Do we truly hate evil, not evil doers? Do we trust God to save us from the wicked?
Hate evil, you who love the Lord, Who watches over the souls of His godly ones; He saves them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Be joyful in the Lord, you righteous ones, And praise the mention of His holy name. (Ps 97:10-12 NASB)
Has God revealed Himself through the things that He created?
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Rom 1:20 NIV)
Is the existence of God self-evident in the design of nature, its complex functionality, the obvious foresight and order? You decide!
A New Song (Psalm 96)
Is singing a new song appropriate for a generational change in the Gospel message? Let’s begin in Psalm 96.
Do we get uncomfortable at church with new songs? Does God encourage a new song?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Ps 96:1-3 NKJV)
What is the difference between God and the idols of the nations?
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. (Ps 96:4-6 NLT)
What attributes should we give God thanks for?
Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps 96:7-9 WEB)
How does God judging all people fairly relate to the Gospel message to all nations?
Tell the nations, “The Lord rules! Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken. He will judge all people fairly.” (Ps 96:10 CEB)
Is God’s coming judgment with fairness and truth something to celebrate?
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate! Command the ocean to roar with all its creatures and the fields to rejoice with all their crops. Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs to the Lord. He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth. (Ps 96:11-13 CEV)
Is this part of the reason for the great commission given to the apostles?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Mat 28:19-20 ESV)
Is singing a new song appropriate for a generational change in the Gospel message? You decide!
Do we get uncomfortable at church with new songs? Does God encourage a new song?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Ps 96:1-3 NKJV)
What is the difference between God and the idols of the nations?
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. (Ps 96:4-6 NLT)
What attributes should we give God thanks for?
Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps 96:7-9 WEB)
How does God judging all people fairly relate to the Gospel message to all nations?
Tell the nations, “The Lord rules! Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken. He will judge all people fairly.” (Ps 96:10 CEB)
Is God’s coming judgment with fairness and truth something to celebrate?
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate! Command the ocean to roar with all its creatures and the fields to rejoice with all their crops. Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs to the Lord. He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth. (Ps 96:11-13 CEV)
Is this part of the reason for the great commission given to the apostles?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Mat 28:19-20 ESV)
Is singing a new song appropriate for a generational change in the Gospel message? You decide!
Shout Triumphantly (Psalm 95)
Do we question God like Israel in the wilderness? Let’s look at Psalm 95.
Is it appropriate to shout and sing in church or are we more conservative than that?
Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. (Ps 95:1-2 HCSB)
Do we describe God as “awesome” or prefer the word “great” that most other translations seem to use? Do we recognize that He holds everything that exists?
For the Lord is an awesome God; a great king above all divine beings. He holds in his hand the lowest parts of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea that he made belongs to him, along with the dry land that his hands formed. (Ps 95:3-5 ISV)
Do we recognize our position in the heavenly scheme of things?
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Ps 95:6-7a KJV)
Though a generation of Israel had seen God’s work setting them free from slavery, did they still harden their hearts in disbelief? Do we?
Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, “When your fathers tried Me, They tested Me, though they had seen My work.” (Ps 95:7b-9 LSB)
Is that why that generation had to wander in the wilderness for forty years and were not granted entrance to the land of promise?
“For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. Therefore I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest.” (Ps 95:10-11 NASB)
If under Joshua they did not find rest in either the Sabbath or the land of rest, what is then a Sabbath rest remaining for the people of God? Is it our eternal rest?
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Heb 4:8-11 NIV)
Do we question God like Israel in the wilderness? You decide!
Is it appropriate to shout and sing in church or are we more conservative than that?
Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. (Ps 95:1-2 HCSB)
Do we describe God as “awesome” or prefer the word “great” that most other translations seem to use? Do we recognize that He holds everything that exists?
For the Lord is an awesome God; a great king above all divine beings. He holds in his hand the lowest parts of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea that he made belongs to him, along with the dry land that his hands formed. (Ps 95:3-5 ISV)
Do we recognize our position in the heavenly scheme of things?
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Ps 95:6-7a KJV)
Though a generation of Israel had seen God’s work setting them free from slavery, did they still harden their hearts in disbelief? Do we?
Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, “When your fathers tried Me, They tested Me, though they had seen My work.” (Ps 95:7b-9 LSB)
Is that why that generation had to wander in the wilderness for forty years and were not granted entrance to the land of promise?
“For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. Therefore I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest.” (Ps 95:10-11 NASB)
If under Joshua they did not find rest in either the Sabbath or the land of rest, what is then a Sabbath rest remaining for the people of God? Is it our eternal rest?
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Heb 4:8-11 NIV)
Do we question God like Israel in the wilderness? You decide!
God Who Avenges (Psalm 94)
Are there basically two paths in life, following the wicked or the upright in heart? Where do those two choices lead? Let’s look at Psalm 94.
Does God, as judge of the earth, avenge us against the proud and wicked?
The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant? (Ps 94:1-3 NIV)
Do the words and actions of the proud and wicked reveal who they really are?
They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. They break in pieces Your people, O Lord, And afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. Yet they say, “The Lord does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.” (Ps 94:4-7 NKJV)
Again do we find the use of ad hominem, a personal attack, calling people fools, which is appropriate if the persons being addressed are the problem?
Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes? He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you? He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing? The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless! (Ps 94:8-11 NLT)
We know that the wicked are faulty but aren’t we all? Don’t we all need God’s discipline? Is the difference that some learn, while others reject it?
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Yah, and teach out of your law, that you may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked. For Yahweh won’t reject his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. For judgment will return to righteousness. All the upright in heart shall follow it. (Ps 94:12-15 WEB)
Do we trust that there is someone in heaven who will stand up for us against wicked evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the wicked? Who will help me against evildoers? If the Lord hadn’t helped me, I would live instantly in total silence. Whenever I feel my foot slipping, your faithful love steadies me, Lord. When my anxieties multiply, your comforting calms me down. (Ps 94:16-19 CEB)
Is God opposed to dishonest lawmakers who legislate against the lives of innocent victims?
But you are opposed to dishonest lawmakers who gang up to murder innocent victims. You, Lord God, are my fortress, that mighty rock where I am safe. You will pay back my enemies, and you will wipe them out for the evil they did. (Ps 94:20-23 CEV)
While persecution is not something any of us chooses, can we rejoice that God uses it to enormously bless those who suffer?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mat 5:10-12 ESV)
Are there basically two paths in life, following the wicked or the upright in heart? Where do those two choices lead? You decide!
Does God, as judge of the earth, avenge us against the proud and wicked?
The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant? (Ps 94:1-3 NIV)
Do the words and actions of the proud and wicked reveal who they really are?
They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. They break in pieces Your people, O Lord, And afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. Yet they say, “The Lord does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.” (Ps 94:4-7 NKJV)
Again do we find the use of ad hominem, a personal attack, calling people fools, which is appropriate if the persons being addressed are the problem?
Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes? He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you? He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing? The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless! (Ps 94:8-11 NLT)
We know that the wicked are faulty but aren’t we all? Don’t we all need God’s discipline? Is the difference that some learn, while others reject it?
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Yah, and teach out of your law, that you may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked. For Yahweh won’t reject his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. For judgment will return to righteousness. All the upright in heart shall follow it. (Ps 94:12-15 WEB)
Do we trust that there is someone in heaven who will stand up for us against wicked evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the wicked? Who will help me against evildoers? If the Lord hadn’t helped me, I would live instantly in total silence. Whenever I feel my foot slipping, your faithful love steadies me, Lord. When my anxieties multiply, your comforting calms me down. (Ps 94:16-19 CEB)
Is God opposed to dishonest lawmakers who legislate against the lives of innocent victims?
But you are opposed to dishonest lawmakers who gang up to murder innocent victims. You, Lord God, are my fortress, that mighty rock where I am safe. You will pay back my enemies, and you will wipe them out for the evil they did. (Ps 94:20-23 CEV)
While persecution is not something any of us chooses, can we rejoice that God uses it to enormously bless those who suffer?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mat 5:10-12 ESV)
Are there basically two paths in life, following the wicked or the upright in heart? Where do those two choices lead? You decide!
The Lord Reigns (Psalm 93)
Does God reign from eternity past? Do we trust His testimonies as faithful? Let’s look at Psalm 93.
Does God need to win any battles to take His place in the universe, or does He just reign? Will there always be an earth, even though it will some day be made new for eternity?
The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. (Ps 93:1 ESV)
Does God sit on a throne established from eternity past?
Your throne has been established from the beginning; You are from eternity. (Ps 93:2 HCSB)
Can a flood be mighty and loud, crushing things in its path?
The rivers have flooded, Lord; the rivers have spoken aloud, the rivers have lifted up their crushing waves. (Ps 93:3 ISV)
Is God mightier than even the greatest storm waves in the ocean?
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. (Ps 93:4 KJV)
Do hundreds of fulfilled prophecies, historic accuracy proven by archaeology, a consistent message though over 40 authors over 1,500 years, with far more abundant manuscript evidence than any other literature in history, show the Bible is a faithful and holy book?
Your testimonies are very faithful; Holiness befits Your house, O Yahweh, forevermore. (Ps 93:5 LSB)
Did Jesus prove that He, as God with us, has such power over the sea?
And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Mat 8:24-27 NASB)
Does God reign from eternity past? Do we trust His testimonies as faithful? You decide!
Does God need to win any battles to take His place in the universe, or does He just reign? Will there always be an earth, even though it will some day be made new for eternity?
The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. (Ps 93:1 ESV)
Does God sit on a throne established from eternity past?
Your throne has been established from the beginning; You are from eternity. (Ps 93:2 HCSB)
Can a flood be mighty and loud, crushing things in its path?
The rivers have flooded, Lord; the rivers have spoken aloud, the rivers have lifted up their crushing waves. (Ps 93:3 ISV)
Is God mightier than even the greatest storm waves in the ocean?
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. (Ps 93:4 KJV)
Do hundreds of fulfilled prophecies, historic accuracy proven by archaeology, a consistent message though over 40 authors over 1,500 years, with far more abundant manuscript evidence than any other literature in history, show the Bible is a faithful and holy book?
Your testimonies are very faithful; Holiness befits Your house, O Yahweh, forevermore. (Ps 93:5 LSB)
Did Jesus prove that He, as God with us, has such power over the sea?
And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Mat 8:24-27 NASB)
Does God reign from eternity past? Do we trust His testimonies as faithful? You decide!
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