When a people lose their fear of the Lord and begin to lift their own judgments above His, that nation will not long survive. When the prophet Ezekiel preached, warning the people of Israel, they responded by accusing God of injustice rather than repenting themselves. Today, we often hear a biblically illiterate people accusing God of injustice, either as a way of questioning His existence or in response to the warnings of His preachers. Watch out, lest history repeat itself.
A rhetorical question that begs the answer, “None!” The Psalmist uses this question to intensify the praise of those who worship the Lord. It causes us to shout out in response, “None is like our God!!!” The Lord is here described as “seated on high,” showing His lofty position over and above creation. Yet, the following verses detail His interest in the “poor” and the “barren woman.” God is both transcendent and immanent. His position is higher than all, yet He stoops to help the least of these. Who is like Him?
When we get tired or discouraged we can look to Christ’s example. Many a pastor, missionary or Christian worker has quit because of the complaint of one or two people. We tend to over-estimate the number who complain and under-estimate those who encourage us. We say things like, “Everybody is against me” when there are only a few. Looking to Jesus, who endured even unto the cross is more than a model to emulate. He is the risen Lord and therefore able to live in and through us, so that we have His indomitable life and resurrection power available to us. Consider this Jesus who never gave up the next time you feel like quitting.
How to prepare yourself for church: The Psalmist announces his intent to praise and give thanks to the Lord. He describes what he will do, with what motive he will do it, where, and in whose company. He plans to sing, shout, give a thanks-offering (this is a free-will offering above his regular tithes and offerings) motivated by his whole-hearted love. And he plans to do it at God’s house surrounded by like-minded fellow worshipers who are doing the same. I want to go to church with this guy!
The assumption that the origin of the universe can be extrapolated from its present visible condition is here denied. The Bible teaches that God spoke the universe into existence, ex nihilo – out of nothing. We were not there when this happened, but God has revealed this to us through His Word. According to Hebrews, those listed in chapter eleven’s “faith hall of fame” had a faith that included this foundational truth: God created the universe and we are His creation.
Like the antelope that wanders off from the herd on its own and is eaten by the lion, so is the vulnerability of the believer who begins to isolate from gathering with other believers. Being stirred up to “love and good works” may disturb us, but it is necessary for our growth and maturity.
After listing the instances of injustice and evil in Israel (among them the mistreatment of the orphan, widow and sojourner), the Lord comes to this conclusion: He could find no man to stand in the breach. The physical walls of Jerusalem were still standing, but the spiritual walls were already breached. It would only be a matter of time before the former fell too. I wonder, will the Lord find a man to stand in the breach for our time?
If you’ve been redeemed (bought back, ransomed, delivered) by the Lord, the Psalmist encourages you to “say so!” We can never repay the One who gave His life as a ransom for us, but we can certainly give Him thanks and praise. We were sinful, separated and spiritually dead, but Christ has redeemed us, granting us His righteousness, sonship, and life. So, if you know so, SAY SO!
After warning Israel that each individual would be judged for their sin and that death would be the result, God revealed His heart. He found no pleasure in having to carry out judgment. He warned them, so that they would turn and live. He did not want to them to suffer death. This was the message he gave the prophet Ezekiel to preach, yet Israel would not hear.
The one who lives and acts in isolation lacks the sweet fragrance of a friend’s advice. Acting without counsel, we come under the cloud of our own stinkin’ thinkin’. We usually avoid counsel because we already know that we’re planning to do something questionable. And we don’t want a friend to point it out to us. Get counsel before acting.