CLEARING THE CLUTTER
Text: Psalm 33
I don't know about you but I will be glad when November 7 comes and goes. I have been following the poles and am getting tired of the fickleness of the American people. Up one day, down another, siding with the candidate that promises to help them out the most on any given day. I am tired of the liberal shade the news media paints across everything. It frightens me to ponder the things that hang in the balance in this election.
It is so wonderful to know there is an anchor, steadfast and sure, that never changes. There is someone we can cling to that never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The writer of Psalm 33 had all this in perspective when he wrote down what the Holy Spirit inspired him to day. I believe the words of this psalm will help cut through the confusion as we focus our attention away from the political arena and onto the King.
I. IT IS FITTING TO PRAISE THE LORD (VV. 1-3)
In this arena of confusion surrounding the election it is so important that we focus our attention on God and praise Him. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone isexcellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven (Psalm 148:13). That helps to keep things in perspective.
Praise is the natural response of God's people for receiving His benefits. But their praise should be spontaneous and fresh—new mercies demand new songs (cf. a new song in 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1). It should also be done well or skillfully. The best talent that a person has should be offered in praising Him.
II. THE LORD IS DEPENDABLE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS (VV. 4-19)
For the word of the Lord is right (yashar---"straight") Don't we need some straight talk today!
All of His works are done in truth.---Truth is a word that is rarely practiced anymore. The word from the Hebrew literally means "firmness". In application it can mean "stability" and "moral fidelity".
He loves righteousness and judgment.
a. righteousness---"uprightness as a consequence of being honorable and honest"
b. judgement---justice---"the quality of being just or fair"
The earth is full of the qualities that God loves. He has woven them into His creation---"The whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Man is doing his best to unravel it all.
Verses 6-19 develop the thought that God's word and works are reliable:
1. The word of the Lord is powerful---Because God spoke, Creation came into existence. What God decrees, happens. Therefore all peoples of the world should worship Him.
2. God is at work in history as He always has been.
a. God's plans foil the plans of the wicked nations (cf. 2:1-6).
b. His purposes are sustained, no matter what people endeavor to do.
It is comforting to know that God is on the throne no matter who is elected to lead our country. He is the Alpha and the Omega and nations rise and fall under His command.
c. He blesses only the nation whose God is the Lord. This is speaking primarily of the nation Israel but I believe the basic truth can be expanded to those nations that cling to God and hold high the truths from His word. We have been that nation in the past but no longer are.
The psalmist states that God sees all people from His exalted position in heaven (His dwelling place; cf. 2 Chron. 6:21, 30, 33, 39; 30:27). He sees even their inner thoughts (Ps. 33:13-15). God does not save the self-confident (vv. 6-17). Those who look to a king, or human strength, or a horse cannot find deliverance (cf. 20:7).
d. His eyes are on those who fear Him, on those who put their hope in His unfailing love.
The Lord saves and preserves those who trust and hope in Him (33:18-19; cf. "hope" in vv. 20, 22 and unfailing love in vv. 5, 22). This is the lot of Israel, the blessed . . . nation (v. 12).
III. GOD'S PEOPLE TRUST IN HIM (VV. 20-22)
We are not to trust in our government to take care of us or some politician to make things right. We are to put our trust in God and Him alone.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
As we apply God's word for us today to the election process that we certainly must deal with on November 7 we must vote with the word of God open before us and not our pocketbooks. Study the issues and vote for the candidates that best exemplify those things which God holds dear. We see some of those things in the text today. Look for candidates whose word is straight, who believe in justice for all (including the unborn), who put their trust in the Lord (not just in word but in their lives), and who recognize the hand of God at work in the history of men and nations. There are a whole lot of historical precedents to this that were established in the words and actions of our nation's founding fathers.
Finally and most importantly, make sure that you have placed your faith in Jesus. The things of this world will never bring you security or peace.