“Worship Him All You Gods” (Ps 97)

The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory. Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. (vs6-7)

Jesus Christ, the King of kings and God of gods, is to be worshiped. He says, “Worship Him, all you gods”. He is praised and honored for His character attributes. He is just, holy, and mysterious. He says, “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad. Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (vs1-2). What we don't know about His glory is not disturbing, because we know that He is righteous. His providences may baffle us, but His integrity governs all and silences us when we're in doubt. He is good.

We worship Him because He is fearful and awesome, punishing His foes and defeated sin utterly. He says, “A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” (vs3-5). He is no paper tiger... no weak god who can't do anything. He is no god you can mock to his face. He is the King who shall judge the world, and our destinies are in His hand. He is terror producing, showing His holy anger; He is justly angry with His foes, and they will be punished.

He is the Savior of sinners out of every nation, so let us all praise Him. He says, “The heavens declare His righteousness; and all the peoples see His glory” (vs6). He hasn't excluded you! He hasn't said, “For the Jews”, or, “For others, but you can't come”. The gospel is for EVERY creature, and He makes nations bow, so that He has a people predestined from every family and tongue (Rev 5:9). We bow to Him and praise Him because of who He is: the mysterious, just, powerful, punishing and saving God.

Secondly, we do remember God's holiness with praise, if He's saved us (vs8-9). He says, “Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord. For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods”. We look upon Him fearfully and lovingly - fearing sin and yet loving the Savior who forgives sin and gives grace. He says, “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (vs10). We have POWER because He gives it, and we overcome because of His intervention and assistance. We are saved, and as such, we ENJOY new pleasures, as we obey!

I was speaking to someone on “obedience”, how it is a gospel word for wives, “as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror” (1 Pet 3:6). Everything that He teaches us is gospel, because He enables us to obey, and then He REWARDS our obedience. He promises, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (vs11). As we practice what God says, we see that His way is pleasurable and more fulfilling. It may not be the pleasure of sin, like men laying with men, but it is God's pleasure in the marriage relationship that's run His way. The woman was made for the man, and when she assumes her position, when he honors her as his wife, then they mutually share God's Spirit in the relationship, and the fruit is His love enjoyed.

Don't be afraid, poor sinner! God's way is right, and as you remember His holiness in all that He does - His right behavior in wrath and mercy - you'll be thankful for mercy, and you’ll enjoy being merciful also. He says, “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and praise the remembrance of His holiness” (vs12). God is GREAT, the Lord Jesus Christ.