Sunday Devotional 25th September 2022
by Bruce Billington
We are continuing to explore the knowledge of God as expressed in the Psalms. This week we will look at Psalm 47, written by the sons of Korah.
Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy.
Psalm 47:2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.
Psalm 47:3 He subdues peoples under us And nations under our feet.
Even though the Lord Most High is beyond description in any written language, it never stopped the Psalmists trying to describe Him. They wanted to constantly remind themselves and one another who He is, what He is like and what He has done for those who have committed their lives to Him. Their words serve us well and should be an encouragement for us to do the same. We should never let the indescribable acts of God’s greatness stop us from proclaiming them continually.
It is an amazing truth that no one can resist God’s power or stand before His anger or wrath, yet, when it comes to His people, these attributes are not expressed against us but are brought to bear on those who mean harm to us. The same incredible power that is so fearsome against God’s enemies is also a protection to those who love Him and are living according to His purposes.
As a result, when seeing the terrible expressions of evil that are made in this fallen world, we can shelter under His wings and proclaim that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. Although He may well call us to play a role in His victorious actions, He will take it upon Himself to ensure that truth and righteousness shall win out. The most powerful and stubborn expressions of evil will all be made to submit to His all-conquering power and authority.
For this reason, rather than tremble in fear at His awesome majesty, we should rejoice and worship Him. Our joy should be expressed in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with a thankfulness in our hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Why – because He has put us on His side and made us His sons and daughters. We are covered by the blood of His Son, and He willingly receives us into His throne room. It is here that we find the reason for verse one – that we are to clap our hands and shout to God with the voice of joy.
Our praise not only goes out to God for who He is—the supreme ruler over all the earth—but also for what He does for His people. The psalmists reflected on the many victories God had given Israel over her enemies. Past triumphs gave them unwavering hope for present and future challenges. They were confident that God would continue to faithfully subdue the other nations beneath His chosen nation or people.
One day, all the nations will be subdued under the feet of the people of God (V3). At His second coming, the Lord Jesus Christ will gather all things to Himself through His great power and authority. He will make them His glory and the glory of His people.
While it may seem today, 2,000 years since the first coming of Christ, that His people have been subdued under the feet of cruel, power-hungry leaders, who having nothing but contempt for God, this position will be reversed, and all will bow before Him.
All of this can bring to us a peace or inner calmness which comes from knowing that He has all things under His control and is making everything move towards His final summing up of all things in Christ.
Reading this from the perspective of the New Covenant we can say that the Great King who rules overall has come down from heaven, fought for His people and given them victory as these verses celebrate. From His current place, seated at the right hand of God, He presides over all the earth and is preparing the earth for His final return.
Although this will be a time of terror for those who don’t know Him, it will be a time of great celebration, worship, and victory for all those who are in Christ. We can join with the Psalmist in saying,
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12).
May God bless you.
Bruce Billington