Do not Destroy

Psalm 75:1-10

“We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.  To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’”

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.  It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.  In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.

As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob, who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”

The Psalm is titled “Do not Destroy,” it may be referring to when David was hiding in a cave from Saul.  Once more, it is a song or Psalm from Asaph, and he begins by giving praise for all that God has done and is doing.  I wonder why Churches do not set aside time to do so, often in our small group on Sundays, we share what God has done for us the past week.  It is a big encouragement to Jan and I each time we share or hear others share about our Father and His faithful love for His children.

God has set a time for every season and each aspect of life on planet earth, and guess what God will never say ops, how did that happen?  He is the Creator of time and life, and He cares for you.  Yes, He has set an appointed time to judge the world, and Scripture is clear that all things are held together by Jesus Christ.  You will find that in Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.”  The ones who are so concerned about global warming need to look to the one who created the world, and understands He is in total control.

When the horn is used, it is referring to a symbol of power and is often used in a military context but in this case, it is more about people boasting about the power and wealth they have.  God has disdain for the arrogant and proud, and He will bring discipline to humble us.  God will always do that if you are part of His family and the Scripture is clear if you do not receive discipline, you are not part of the family.

Now the great part and I hope you do this;  As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob, who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice