When the Wrong Person is Elected

When the Wrong Person is Elected

Psalm 29

ICC’s AM (9/18/21)

I. Introduction

1. Prayers

i. Gracious God… we know that we are not in control of our world, as much as we would like to be

ii. Thank you for things not going our way to remind us to trust you and allow things to go your way, so please Lord, grant us greater trust in you from your words today

iii. May you comfort those who are struggling now and bring to repentance those who are living in rejection of your ways God

iv. We ask for your help oh Yawheh

2. Catch-

Oh I have been reading a lot about the Russian cries communism and how it’s convince even many in the church side with her uprising. And it would’ve been easy for Christians to think that what they needed to do was have more political power or change arguments to address communism versus capitalism, but instead they focus on God and his word.

So if you think the wrong person was elected in 2016, or in 2020, or 2021, may I suggest that your focus should not be on primarily the who and what of politics, but on God and how great and powerful he is and he controls even the Political situation that your face

i.

3. Review on the context

i. This section of the Psalms keep coming back to God’s presenence in the temple

Psalm 26:8- O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.

Psalm 27:4- One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 28:2- Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy…when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

Psalm 29:9- in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

Psalm 30:title- A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

ii. These psalms together are directing our hearts and minds to the reality of how important it is to gather with God’s people to worship Him in our various struggles of life

iii. Remember, in Israel, the temple was not a place where an individual isrealite went when he wanted to worship God or needed help

1. Going to the temple was a commanded gathering of the whole nation

II. God’s supremacy brings Him Glory and His People Peace 3 duties the Christian must preform to remember God is in control

1. Your goal is that others praise to the supreme Yahweh (1-2)

i. Explanation

1. The psalm starts off with command to give to Yahweh what is already his

a. Ascribe is a good words because it means attribute something to someone

i. It is like cheers given at a magnificent concert of the famous music conductor John Wiliams palying at the Hollywood bowl

ii. The cheers do make him great.. that has already been made clear by the five Oscars, four Golden Globes, seven BAFTAs, 21 Grammys, and48 Oscar nominations

b. The people are cheering because they recognize his greatness

2. David calls the heavenly beings or could be translated the sons of God to recognize God’s greatness

a. There is some debate over whether these are angels in heaven

i. seraphim constantly extol God’s holiness (Isa 6:1–3) [i]

b. Or some have pointed out “sons of God” title was an early but favored titulary for kings, nobles, and aristocrats in the ancient Near East. [ii]

c. Either way David is calling great ones to look to someone greater than themselves. To the great Yahweh

3. James Boice explains ascribing glory to him, that is, acknowledging his supreme worth with our minds, and worshiping or bowing down to him (the Hebrew word means “to bow down”), which means a subordination of our wills and minds to his. [iii]

a. Worship cannot just be words that we say, but a life that is in submission to one greater than us

4. To See God is to see him as holy, totally different from anything else.

Psalm 89:6- For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,

ii. Illustration

1. There is something hard wired in us to tell others about what we are excited about

a. Imagine if you have a great place to eat, you’ll recommend it

b. I took Katie to a place down in Huntington beach where you could Kayak for a pretty cheap price and I told someone people about it

c. Imagine something you get excited about and who you would tell

2. So we must not be ashamed to call others to see the great God that we serve

a. We must see him for His greatness!

iii. Application

1. All people are created for God's glory

a. We saw at the end of Ecclesiasts last week in evening service

Ecclesiastes 12:13- The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

b. Its interesting that the word duty in verse 13 isn’t found in the Hebrew,

i. literally he says fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of everyone.

ii. It is not just our duty, it’s our essence[iv]

2. We are created for god’s glory

3. So, before we get upset at whoever is on the earthly throne and whether they are doing their job we must ask a question first

a. Am I doing my job?

b. Am I calling everyone, everywhere to glorify the great God who created us all?

Are we treasuring the one who really is on the throne as we will see

2. Your recognition is that Yahweh is supreme over everything around you (3-9)

i. Explanation In these verses we have 6 descriptions of the Yahweh’s voice & God’s kingship is shown by His power

2.1. He reigns over the chaotic sea in the west (3-4)

a. Imagine King David looking at the seas to the west of Israel where a great storm was forming, with thunder and lightening

b. And one of the hardest lessons Israel had to learn was God was not just the king over Israel, but over all nature[v]

c. Instead, there was a god of the people’s called Baal who was the god of thunder and lightning

i. Here, David is making clear the thunder in the storm doesn’t come from Baal, but it is the voice of Yahweh

ii. these peals of thunder celebrate the lord and sovereign and judge[vi]

d. It is Yawheh’s voice that is the opower

i. A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps. In comparison, household current is 120 Volts and 15 Amp

e. But why did Israel keep trying to serve Baal when they had heard this Psalm?

i. Not because they were just foolish people who wanted to serve pieces of wood

ii. No, they were fearful that maybe God wouldn’t come through on providing the rain, and Baal was the god of thunder. So maybe cover their bases

f. But remember Jesus’ disciples on the sea of Gallielle, their terror at the storm… and the greater terror at the one who calmed the storm

g. Application- Where do you run when there is terror

i. I know some of you are going through some big trials in this past year especially has not been easy, but the solution of therapy is not the answer

1. If the goal is to just make you feel better that is an idolatrous goal.

2. The goal of what we understand as biblical counseling is the glory of God in your life, and that alone will bring you peace because you cannot control this crazy

3. but you can have a God who is worthy of your life

But he turns from the storm in the west to realize Yahweh

2.2. He Reigns over the impressive heights in the north (5-7)

a. Yahweh’s voice is stronger than cedars

i. Then there is a poetic parallel where he repeats the same thing but gives a little more information as these are cedars of Lebanon

ii. Lebanon was a Phoenician along the coast of Mediterranean Sea which was famous for its trees

1. Lebanon was also home to pine, fir, cypress, and oak trees

2. But the cedar trees were impressive and famous

iii. King Solomon goes there to get supplies to build the temple as they were the best

iv. What does Yawheh’s voice do to these mighty trees… breaks them apart with a word

But, it’s not jus the trees

b. Yahweh’s voice is stronger than the mountains

i. Lebanon consisted of two mountain ranges with a fertile valley in between

ii. And Sirion is another name for mount Hermon (Deuteronomy 3:9), The tallest mountain in ancient Israel; located on Israel’s northeast boundary

1. It was 9,230 feet high

iii. And what does Yahweh’s voice do to these great mountains?

1. They run away like a baby cow like a baby ox

2. Turn to Psalm 30:6-7 We look at a mountain and think, It has always been there, it will always be there, but then we realize with earthquakes how quickly things can change

3. The pinnacle mountain range in central California is constantly shifting because of earthquakes

4. It is God’ face alone

c. David is saying that all the most impressive natural place- tall trees and strong mountains, are nothing compared to the strength of God

i. God humbles the most impressive things

d. Even the most powerful is only doing God’s will

Proverbs 21:1- The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

e. So, what strength do we have to fear Brothers and siters… what ruler could be in a pace that God has not placed there NO one can resister him and

Romans 8:31- What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

David’s eyes saw the power of the seas, the strength of the trees, and he looks to the south which would bring strong memories for Israel

2.3. He reigns over the embarrassing desert in the south (8-9b)

a. When Bible readers see wilderness they should have their minds go to 40 years in the wilderness

b. The parallel wilderness of Kadesh makes that clear

i. KADESH-BARNEA The site where the Hebrews stayed for most of the 38 years after leaving Mount Sinai and before entering the promised land.

ii. It is the place in numbers 13 that Moses sends out the 12 spies

iii. You will remember that there 10 out of the 12 terrified the people who tales of how undefeatable their enemies are and so the people rebel against Moses wanting a new leader to take them back to Egypt

iv. Yahweh’s response

Numbers 14:11–12- And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

v. But Moses intercedes, and God is gracious, but says they will spend 40 years in the wilderness now… they cannot go into the promise land

vi. So, do the people respond in thanking God for the forgiveness… no

1. They try to enter the land against God’s commands

2. And they are horribly defeated after being warned

vii. This moment of disobedience is up there with the golden calf

c. And yet, Yahweh shakes that place

d. And v9- His voice directs the birth of a deer even while stripping a force bare

i. Life giving and destruction together

ii. The wisdom of Solomon should help us greatly here

Ecclesiastes 7:14- In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

iii. All days are under God’s control

e. So, brothers and sisters Do you have something dark in your past that is blight on you still today?

i. It could be A sin you never told anyone about or that you people know and your worry what they think of you

ii. Or maybe a sin done against you that still hurts tremendously

iii. Gene 50:20 speaks loudly as what man means for evil, God means for good

iv. His voice shakes the place of your regret and defeat… he was in control over that dark time and he was good.

ii. Illustration

1. We must believe that God is the lord of creation, but his also the lord over his people and so is bale to protect us[vii]

a. I was taking on of my children bike riding without her training wheels

b. And I’m letting you know we’ve practiced long and hard… she was so ready

c. But she was terrified… she just kept hitting the breaks

d. She thought she would fall

e. So I finally looked at her and said, the reason you’re having trouble is not because you cannot bike ride, you have all the skills… but you do not trust me you don’t think I can keep you from falling. And while I can’t promise you’ll never fall, I can say right now that I will not let you fall

f. Guess what, she still screamed so all our neighbors could hear us and we gave up that day

g. But just the other day I was running back and forth and she was bike riding all on her own… and she said, Daddy, I’m trusted you and I’m back riding

2. Our fear and concern is ultimately rooted in a lack of trusting God will take care of us.

iii. Application

1. Fear that is held onto is sin that replaces God

a. So, how do you fight fear in your life

b. As, all theses crazy things are happening… where are the people? In the temple saying Glory

2. If I were to ask you why you come to this church, reasons. Appreciate fellowship and the instruction, maybe you really like the coffee and donuts

a. But the reason here is to proclaim God

3. 1 Corinthians 11:20- Now when you come together at the same place,

a. We come together, in one place so that we can see this group of people crying glory together

b. But when your life seems crazy

i. You have kids screaming at you

ii. Your body is fighting against

iii. Work is out of control as people’s expectations are dominating

iv. Your friendship are strained by political drama

v. What are you to do?

c. Gather with God’s people to ]praise Him.. to be reminded of who he is

i. I know some of you cannot be here in person for various reasons,

ii. But gods design is for you to declare his goal glory with other people.

iii. It doesn’t matters what you cannot do, your presence alone speaks volumes of hope

The Psalm ends at the peak of God’s control

3. Your hope can only be in Yahweh who judges and saves (10-11)

i. Explanation

3.1. Judgment in the flood

a. The Hebrew word for flood only comes in one other place… noah’s flood

b. This was a time when natural forces were unleashed in God’s judgment upon a sinful people whose “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (gen 6:5)

c. God does bring justice and defeat against those who make war against his kingdom

i. You don’t have to worry about the wicked winning

But, if you are his people, you can find

3.2. Peace in redemption

a. God gives strength, God gives pace

b. , in Christ we have “seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14

c. IN Christ we have the prince of peace

ii. Application

1. If you are not a someone who has repented of your sins through confession and stated your trust and willingness of obey Jesus

a. May I warn you of the fact that this God who rules all should not be a comfort to you

b. He knows your thoughts and intentions, he knows all the things that no other person sees

c. But, if this is you, talk to anyone around you today… send us an email if you’re watching online, because he doesn’t just leave you there

d. He died so that you may live, so hear the good news from others around you

2. If you are a believer and you have faith or trust in your eternity… put your focus on God for you peace

a. Dig deep into what the bible says He controls and allow you trust in him to asail your fear

1 Peter 5:6–7- Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

III. Therefore

1. Since we have seen (Cohesion)-

1. Your Goal must be to praise Yahweh as supreme, because he always has been and always will be

To accomplish that

2. You recognize is that Yahweh is supreme over everything around you

3. Find your hope in the God who judges and saves

2. We know we must (Resolution)-

1. Go to this Psalm when the storms come

a. Charles spurgeon wonderfully wrote

Just as the eighth Psalm is to be read by moonlight, when the stars are bright,

as the nineteenth needs the rays of the rising sun to bring out is beauty,

so this can be best rehearsed beneath the black wing of tempest, by the glare of the lightning, or amid that dubious dusk which heralds the war of elements. [viii]

IV. Closing prayer

1. Oh Lord, grant us this vision… may we believe to you belongs the glory and great things we will then see

V. Final Hymn

1. To God be the Glory 19 first stanza

[i]Walter C. Kaiser Jr, The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 50. [ii]Walter C. Kaiser Jr, The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 50. [iii]James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 256. [iv]Barrick 212 [v]Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50, 2nd ed., vol. 19, Word Biblical Commentary (Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference & Electronic, 2004), 249. [vi]Kidner [vii]Thomas R. Schreiner, The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 258. [viii] Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, 3 vols. (reprint; Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, n.d.), 1/2:29