Responding to the Majesty of God

The setting for this proclamation of praise and thanksgiving to God is the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Due to sin and neglect, the Ark had been absent from Jerusalem for at least 20 years. King David has made the proper arrangements regarding the Holiness of God in moving the ark, and now the people are celebrating with a worship service.

We are to Proclaim God’s Name among the Nations (1 Chron 16:23-27)

Explanation: David is the worship leader for this event, and he is focusing the attention on God and how His people are to respond to Him. In these five verses David is giving instruction as to why God’s people are to sing, to tell, and to declare His glory among the nations.

Argument: We can learn from this song of praise. We are God’s people in this generation and we are to be engaged in telling and retelling the story of God.

We CAN and ARE to praise and proclaim His Name because God is Great! He is the Almighty God and He is the Author of marvelous works and deeds.

We CAN and ARE to tell others that this God is to be feared and held in reverent awe. He is to be feared because He is the ONLY True God, and all the other objects of worship are simply false and powerless idols.

Jehovah God is the Creator God of the Universe and He is unique and alone. As God told the prophet Isaiah, “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” (Isa 45:5). This truth becomes very important because there are many in our society that have total disregard for the LORD. They openly mock and ridicule the One who has real power over them. As Jesus told His disciples, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.” (Matt 10:28)

Application: We live in a post-modern society where many people no longer believe in objective truth. Instead, many view truth as subjective. This can be seen in those who would say “I believe in Jesus and he is my truth, but you may have a different truth.” This is a very dangerous way to think and speak. The temptation is to talk this way so as not to offend anyone, but not proclaiming the real truth about God is not helpful to others, and it is dishonoring to the God we worship.

As Christians who view the Bible as the very word of God and believe that Jesus is the final and most complete revelation of God because He Himself is God in the Flesh, we are to proclaim this truth clearly and unashamedly. Instead of hedging on the truth issue, ask others this question: “If what you believe is a lie, would you want to know it?”

We are to ascribe Glory to Him (1 Chron 16:28-31)

Explanation: In verses 28 and 29 the command to ascribe Glory to the LORD is given three times. The verb ascribe means to to say or think that (something) is caused by, comes from, or is associated with (something or someone) : to assign or to credit. This means we are to acknowledge, to give credit to God for having Glory.

God is Glorious and Majestic. God’s Name is Glorious. He has these qualities in Himself because He is God. We cannot change this quality of God, but we do have to privilege of telling others about Him and living our lives in ways that reflect this truth.

Argument: Not only are we to ascribe Glory to His Name, David gives us reason to do so. One very important reason is because He deserves us to give Him glory.

We are to ascribe Glory to His Name because He is worthy (v.29a). It is His due right for being God., and He is Worthy of our worship. The reality is that He is the only One worthy of worship. In the throne room of Heaven this is currently taking place and it will continue throughout Eternity. In the book of Revelation the Four Living Creatures and the 24 Elders fall down before the One seated on the throne and say, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive Glory and Honor and power for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev 4:9-11)

We are to ascribe Glory to His Name because God is Holy (v. 29b). God is to be worshiped, but our worship is to be carried out in the “splendor of holiness.” Of all God’s attributes, His Holiness is the one that informs and governs all of His others. God is love, but His love is a Holy Love; God has compassion, but it is a Holy Compassion.

The Hebrew language does not have superlatives like English. (good, better, best; most intelligent, etc.) Instead of superlatives, the Hebrews used repetition for such emphasis. The only adjective that is used of God three times is the word Holy (Isa 6:3 and Revelation 4:8).

The idea of God as Holy has fallen into disuse among many evangelicals these days, but we would do well to recover it. At it basic definition the word for Holy means to be set apart, to be viewed as unique, not common. God is in a class by Himself. He is the Eternal Uncreated Creator; all others are creatures.

God is not our pal, He is not the man upstairs, and He is not like us. We have somehow bought into the lie that God is kind of like us, but a much better version. Absolutely not! He is the Creator and we are to “tremble before Him” (v. 30). Our generation of believers would do well to heed the words of the Preacher when he warns us to “Guard your steps when you go to the House of God . . . be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few” (Eccl 5:1-2)

Application: The way in which we approach God and talk about God is important. Our behavior is a model for our families, co-workers and friends. How do others perceive God from your life? Others CAN and should hear us talk reverently and accurately about the One we claim to worship.

We are to look to Him for Deliverance (1 Chron 16:35)

Explanation: David brings his song of praise to a close by giving the people another reminder. In v. 35 David states “say also” and then gives the people the content of what they are to “say also.” They are to appeal to this One True and Holy God by asking Him to save them and to deliver them from the perils that they were facing. David is leading the people the acknowledge their reliance of God, and not on himself as the earthy King. Remember, David is the King of Jerusalem and he had an administration and it was organized and set up for various functions. David is reminding the people of their true hope and their sure means of deliverance

Argument: I am of the opinion that this is a timely reminder for us as well. Too many people, including many Christians, are looking to our government for deliverance during this pandemic. Yes, the government does have a role to play, but government is incapable of delivering us from this crisis. Models can be consulted, containment policies can be put in place, stimulus checks can be sent, but none of these actions can cure this virus.

I am not smart enough to know all of the reasons why God has allowed this pandemic to wreak havoc on the nations. I am not wise enough to know what the proper course of action is for our country as a whole. But I am spiritually and biblically aware enough to know that God alone is our only hope and deliverer.

I am thankful for technology, and I appreciate the advances in medicine along with vaccines. I am not saying this is a fake virus or saying that Covid-19 is not dangerous. What I am saying is that we as Christians are to ultimately trust God instead of looking to our flawed government for all the answers.

We are to thank Him and Praise Him (1 Chron 16:34-36)

In closing, I encourage us to be like David in thanking and praising God for His goodness. David tells the people to “give thanks to the LORD, for He is good” (v. 34). God is Good, and He is Good all the time. Much of the time we fail to understand exactly what it is that God is doing, but we can always trust that He is good.

God is for us because He is for His own Glory. As Christians we are saved to the praise of His glory as Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter one. Lives that have been changed through Christ are to reflect His Glory - it really is all about Him!

As we continue to adapt to life under the coronavirus pandemic do not forget this Truth. God is in control and He is for His people. Our job is to continue to trust Him and tell others why they can trust Him too!