Behold

This week we begin worship with:

Psalm 46:10-11

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

We are told to "be still" (rāp̄â).  This is not inactivity or slothfulness.  This is not rest or contemplation.  It can be best understood, from the repeated phrase "I will be exalted".  We need to let it happen.

We should let God be God and watch how He accomplishes His purposes. 

In Psalm 46:1-3, we are told that "though" many disastrous things occur, God is in control and what flows from Him is a river of blessing should make us glad.

Psalm 46:4

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

But if we strain to do God's job, we will be tired and worn out.  If we let God be God, often our only task is to watch.

Psalm 46:8a 
Come, behold the works of the Lord . . .

It is quite a sight!

Horde

 We start worship this morning with:

2 Chronicles 20:6
O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

When Jehoshaphat prayed this, his back was against the proverbial wall.  An army was coming against the nation of Israel that could only be described as a "horde" (hāmôn).

2 Chronicles 20:12 

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

As their leader Jehoshaphat called a fast and Israel assembled and the word of the Lord came through the priest Jahaziel:

2 Chronicles 20:15

And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.

The battle is not ours.  Stop and reread that until it sinks in.

Yes, the army had to assemble.  Yes, it had to face its deepest fears and go out.  But God went before them and did what they could not do.  He gave them victory.

We serve the LORD, who none can withstand.  

See the horde coming.  See it surround you.  Take up your position.  Pray and watch what He does in you, around you, and often times in spite of you.

Build

This week we start worship with:

Psalm 69:30, 32–35a

I will praise the name of God with a song;

    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

When the humble see it they will be glad;

    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

For the Lord hears the needy

    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

Let heaven and earth praise him,

    the seas and everything that moves in them.

For God will save Zion

    and build up the cities of Judah, . . .

A victors history is one which the king in power records only victory after victory in their chronology.  The Bible is not so.  The focus of this verse are the "humble", the "needy", and the "prisoners".  

But in spite of this the Psalmist praises God and encourages all of creation to praise Him, for what will happen.  God will "built up" (bānâ) the cities of Judah.  The word implies permanence and protection.

The Psalm is not a prayer but rather a prophecy.

Judge

 This week we begin worship with:

John 7:16–17, 24

So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." 

"...Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

When Job stepped back from all the noise of his friend's advice, he was able, in his right mind, to discern the will of God.  No, not the sovereign will of God that governs history, but he understood the intention, direction, and conclusion of that history.  Namely, that because God made us, He loves us.  Because He loves us, even though we are fallen, He made a way for us to reconcile.

Think it through.  Then smile.