“Fellow citizens! Clouds and darkness are round about Him. The dark waters of the seas and stars of the skies form His pavilion. Justice and judgment are the establishment of His throne. Mercy and truth go before His face. Fellow citizens, God still reigns! He will enable the government in Washington to carry on.”
Those words were spoken by General James A. Garfield to an emotionally troubled and distressed crowd in New York City the morning after President Lincoln had been assassinated.
Ironically, 16 years later Garfield would be elected President of the United States and would also die from an assassin’s bullet a year later.
I’m not sure if it’s just a perception caused by a 24 hour cable news cycle and the constantly flow of information on the internet, but it seems like our country has experienced more distress, greater political polarization, and a deeper divide socially and culturally during the past 12-20 years. Probably, the era of the Civil War would supersede our current generation. But at least during my lifetime, it seems there is a raw edge to people’s emotions and personal opinions today.
Psalm 97 offers God’s people a good perspective during turbulent and troublesome times. Take a minute to read its 12 verses.
Warren Wiersbe offers this 4 point outline of the Psalm.
- The Lord Is Exalted on His Throne (vv. 1-2).
- The Lord Is Exalted over His Enemies (vv. 3-6).
- The Lord Is Exalted over the False Gods (vv. 7-9)
- The Lord Is Exalted among His People (vv. 10-12)
In view of our current social, cultural, and political circumstances it’s good for us to step back, take a deep breath, and consider these points.
#1 The Lord Reigns.
So begins the Psalmist with this encouraging reminder. Regardless of who rules in Washington, governs in your state, or sits in a position of power in other countries, the Lord is on His throne.
He is sovereign. He is righteous. He is all omnipotent. He is omniscient. He is involved in the affairs of mankind. And in His providential care and infinite wisdom will provide a way to bring us through difficult and challegning situations. While we don’t always understand, we take comfort and find peace in the Lord’s reign over all the earth.
#2 People who oppose God will ultimately be defeated.
The enemies of the Lord and His righteousness will not prevail. Old Testament history is a testament to God’s judgment of His adversaries. They were defated then. And they will be defeated again. Ask Egypt. Ask Assyria. Ask Babylon.
While we live in a time of gross immorality, arrogant defiance of God, and attacks on Christianity, don’t forget that “our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). In His time He will bring judgment and justice on a doubting, deceiving, and defiant culture.
#3 Man’s idols will prove ineffective and ineffectual.
At the time of the Psalmist’s writing, the Eastern world was consumed with idolatry. The Canaanites, Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians all had their gods. But Isaiah observed they are “nothing” and “do not profit” (Isa. 44:9-20). Ironically, people worshiped what they fashioned with their own hands. But the idol could not see, hear, speak, or smell. They could not walk, or use their hands. (Ps. 115:48). They were worthless, false gods.
So, it is today with our modern idols. People worship the false gods of power, possessions, pleasure, and popularity. Our obsession with money and material wealth is often satirized and characterized by the expression “The Almighty Dollar.” But take note, there is only one Almighty. And He is God. All other gods prove futile and will fail.
#4 God’s people must worship, serve and exalt Him.
Don’t be deceived by the idols of our time. Know who you are. The late Dee Bowman once told how he would encourage his son Russ when he was a teenager and left to go out with his friends. Dee advised, “Remember who you are.”
In this text, David reminds us who we are. Saints. Other versions render this “faithful ones,” or “godly ones.” We are called “the righteous.” And the “upright in heart.” Thus, we should love the Lord, obey Him, and rejoice in Him. This leads us to a life of thanksgiving and devotion. And provides peace in the midst of a troubled world.
Always remember that when life seems to spiral out of control, when the world around us has lost all common sense, when the enemies appear to have the upper hand, and decency is disparaged, “the Lord reigns.”
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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