Imagine you have been summoned by a judge to appear in her
court. You GO, right? After all, the authority of the entire
community is vested in that court’s bench.
You must comply! But people do
defy the judge’s orders. I’ve seen it.
The words of the Psalmist evoke not only
scenes of majesty and the wonder of all God’s created universe – there is also
the awesome reality of nature’s threat.
Trembling and quaking are fearful pictures. We’ve seen enough of nature’s brutality to
know that!
To “acknowledge that the Lord is God is
simply to respond to the authority of the Maker of all. And creation must respond its Creator; that
is the nature of the universe. We are
“the sheep of His pasture”. Like Apple™
and Windows™ computers respond to their particular operating systems – and no
other – we respond to the One who is our Shepherd. And the command is – respond with praise to
Him alone; give praise to the Lord God…and no other!
Friends, that is more than just a passing curtsy before the throne. It’s more
than sitting in church (or standing to preach a sermon, teach a class) on a
Sunday. It’s more than “paying your
dues” or tipping your hat to “the man upstairs” (don’t get me started on that
one!).
Acknowledging that the Lord is God means
placing your life, possessions, reputation, time, service and anything else
associated with who you are, what you own, your talents and weaknesses, and
whatever else you hope to be and accomplish….all at His disposal. It means dedicating your life to do His will
– not your own.
Why?
Glad you asked.
Jesus said so. Remember
that prayer in Gethsemane? – not MY will, but Yours, Father.
Jesus showed us so.
Remember that Cross on Golgotha?
That was God’s will –
The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance. 2 Peter 3:9b (KJV)
When Jesus says it, and shows it, it becomes our mission to live it
out with and for each other. That’s entering
his gates with thanksgiving and coming into his courts with praise!
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