The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
October 29, 2006
In
This Issue:
Wondrous
Works
by
Johnny Ramsey
Isn't
it Strange?
Author
unknown
Wondrous Works
The 75th Psalm is a classic reminder of the gracious and awesome power of the Almighty One. In the middle of the praise and adoration of a book devoted to exalting Jehovah, we find this little section of only ten verses. But the brevity of the passage does not militate against its portent message.
"We give thanks unto thee, O God; we give thanks, for thy name is near: men tell of thy wondrous works. When I shall find the set time, I will judge uprightly. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I have set up the pillars of it. Selah. I said unto the arrogant, deal not arrogantly; and to the wicked, lift not up the horn: lift not up your horn on high; Speak not with a stiff neck. For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, cometh lifting up. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and lifteth up another. For in the hand of Jehovah there is a cup, and the wine foameth; it is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same: surely the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall drain them, and drink them, but I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up" (Psalm 75:1-10).
Notice these outstanding points to be taken from this rich and valuable stanza. [1] We give thanks, [2] God's name is near, [3] God's wondrous works, [4] Proper judgment, [5] Wicked men are weak, [6] Cup of God's fury, [7] Singing praises to the Lord. These seven challenging thoughts demand our attention and will reward those who pursue a life of godliness and devotion. The first point and the last point blend together into what should come as natural to mankind as breathing - worshiping the Creator from the depths of our souls.
Another passage, found in I Chronicles 29:10-13 evinces this expression: "Wherefore David blessed Jehovah before all the assembly; and David said, Blessed be thou, O Jehovah, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou rulest over all; and in thy hand is power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name."
If men spent more time adoring God properly, we would have a much better world (John 4:24). We are urged to "Praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men" (Psalm 107:21). We are blessed beyond measure, and wisdom demands that we acknowledge this fact. Notice: "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (Psalm 107:2), and, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name" (Psalm 103:1).
When we behold the wonders of heaven's creative genius, we should stand in awe of God! "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). Again the psalmist says, "When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained: what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visited him" (Psalm 8:3-4). The order, design and purpose of all that makes our daily sojourn here on earth so precious should cause us to exclaim before deity: "How great thou art!"
We also learn from Psalm 75 the balanced view on judging. Jesus demands that we "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Valid judgment must be based on the Scriptures, as Jesus declared in John 12:48, "He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." We can surely count on one thing, as Genesis 18:25 enunciates clearly: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" When the cup of God's fury (Isa. 51:17) is finally poured out, the wicked will realize their power was shallow and temporary in comparison with the genuine power from Heaven. "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29). To stand on the wrong side on Judgment Day will be but a reflection of a life misspent and choices foolishly made.
In view of the rich contents of Psalm 75, let us determine to sing praises (James 5:13) and count our blessings before the beautiful throne of God. Let us rise above the petty nature of murmuring and complaining and truly be saints of God: "Do all things without murmurings and questions: that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:14-15).
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
-- Johnny Ramsey
Isn't it strange how long an hour seems at worship, yet so short playing golf, fishing, camping, or watching a movie or ball game?
Isn't it strange how a $20 bill looks so large at offering time in worship, yet so small at the supermarket or movies?
Isn't it strange that reading the Bible is a chore, but that reading the newspaper, magazine, or TV guide is a daily habit that we look forward to and miss if we cannot do it?
Isn't it strange how we like the extra innings in a ballgame, but we lament if the preacher goes over by ten minutes?
Isn't it strange how concerned parents are about their children's homework, yet they seem to care less about their level of Bible knowledge?
Isn't it strange that many Christians cannot explain the plan of salvation, yet they can explain their jobs and hobbies in great detail with much enthusiasm?
Isn't it strange that many church members can tell the plots of TV soap operas and sitcoms, but they cannot explain the major themes of each book of the Bible?
Isn't it strange that people make it a point to arrive in plenty of time for the ball game or movie, but they always dash to church at the last minute?
Isn't it strange that people want to go to heaven on their own way, but seemingly few are eagerly interested in getting there on God's terms?
Isn't it strange how many people will spend hours of time, energy, and care on their earthly home, but make very little preparations for their eternal home?
It really isn't strange, when you determine where the hearts of these people really are. The apostle Paul gave us some advice that we really need to put into our lives to remove these strange queries.
Phil 1:9-10 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;"
Col 3:1-2 "If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."
Phil 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worth of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
-- Author Unknown