“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.” Psalm 75:1
Of all the many reasons we might be inspired to give thanks to God, Asaph chooses the nearness of God’s name. After loss, I totally understand his choice. A mindset of faith recognizes protection and promise are in the near name of God. And Asaph recounts the wonderful deeds represented by that name.
Showers of blessings!
I’m reminded of the name Immanuel. God’s “with-ness” is represented by his name. He is not far off. He is near. Close. Intimate. Friend. And he has spoken to instill faith and patience.
“At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. I say to the boastful, ’do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ’do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’” Psalm 75:2-5
God speaks. He contends that he will judge righteously. He claims that he is the stabilizing force when the earth shakes and totters. God warns the boastful, wicked, and haughty. And his warning instills confidence in us.
What some explain as circumstantial, Asaph contends is God’s doing. It is God who puts down and God who lifts up. He is the executor of judgment, and he is perfect in his execution. The wicked will, in time, receive their due punishment. They will be forced to drink the cup ordained for them by God.
“But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.” Psalm 75:9
This declaration is too marvelous for Asaph, and it is too marvelous for us. Our momentary affliction is just that—momentary. Paul said it best: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
The earth may be tottering, but we will be lifted up.
When this truth is grasped and fully embraced, it delivers liberty to every believing soul. It matters not that we face a tottering or shaky earth. It matters not that we face boastful, wicked, or haughty inhabitants. God’s sovereign power is in place. God’s purposes, his ways, will be accomplished. His kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
“Not one of us has any trouble in accepting this doctrine of God’s sovereignty as long as things go to our liking.” Theodore Cuyler, God’s Light on Dark Clouds
Further, this faith-bolstering truth of his sovereign power is a solace in times of pain, loss, or brokenness of any kind. Declare it forever to your own soul and to the souls of others.
Asaph exclaims that he will declare it forever, and he will sing praises to his God.
“The secret of Christian joy is the peace of Christ in the heart. Then one is not dependent on circumstances or conditions.” J. R. Miller, The Ministry of Comfort
In short, he explains that the wicked will be brought down, cut off, and defeated. They are the ones on shaky, tottering ground. Circumstances do not speak truth to us. On the contrary, the righteous will be lifted up in a victorious fashion. They stand on a firm foundation.
“All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.” Psalm 75:10
Read the E-book Facing Loss: Lessons of Hope from My Unwanted Journey
D. Ray, it is comforting to know that while we don’t have the answers now, we will fully understand when we get to Heaven.
Now, we trust his heart and hands by faith. Amen!