FAR ABOVE ALL
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Lord God, that as I worship you on this Sabbath, I come with full assurance that you receive me and hear my prayers.
Read PSALM 97
Psalm 97
1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines[a] on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
Footnotes
- Psalm 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘Just and true are your ways, King of the nations’ (Revelation 15:3b). As you read these words, think of examples of where you have known them to be true.‘I hope he’s burning in hell’: words spoken by a grieving mother, directed at her 21 year-old son’s murderer. We don’t know if she believed in hell, but either way her words express a human reaction. It’s a cry against injustice and for things to be put right; for people to be held to account for evil. Psalm 97 addresses this sensitive area, proclaiming God as the King who consumes his foes (v. 3) and puts idol worshippers to shame (v. 7). This is a cause for gladness because we hate evil and need to be guarded from its attacks (v. 10). We believe evil will be brought to its knees. The God before whom even Mts. Everest and Kilimanjaro melt will see to it (v. 5).
We rejoice in God’s righteousness, awaiting the day when it becomes clear to all that Christ is ‘the beginning and the firstborn’ (Colossians 1:18). This is not a cause for smugness, complacency, or being revengeful. Rather, we share God’s foundational commitment to righteousness and justice, and resultant hatred of evil. We rejoice when right is done and weep when it is not. It means keeping our hearts right and warning those who think themselves unaccountable. But ultimately it makes us optimistic, hopeful, joyful people.
Apply
How do you (corporately as well as individually) express your love for justice and your hatred of evil?
Closing prayer
Father, I ask for wisdom; show me how I can relate in a personal way to injustice that I see. Show me ways to express the righteousness you offer.
Book and Author Intros
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