Scripture: Psalm 76
1 God is renowned in Judah;
in Israel his name is great.
2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.[b]
4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 It is you alone who are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Observation:
The Psalmist describes the righteous judgement of God in which the unrighteous can-not stand. He warns the righteous reminding them to: “Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.” (Psalm 76:11-12
Application:
We should all have a righteous fear of the living God who gave us life and invests his life in us. We should all be careful to keep our promises to God, for God will not be mocked. Who can escape God’s righteous judgement? But praise be to God for we have a living hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus, who has atoned for our own unrighteousness. Therefore, we should live our lives in gratitude and righteous fear of the God who holds his our eternity in the grip of his grace.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for the grace you have given us to believe in you as our Lord and Savior. Help us to live our lives in gratitude of your grace. Help us to live in a righteous fear of you, being careful to keep our promises and vows to you that others might come to know your saving grace and love. Amen.