Palm 97

The Lord Reigns

97:1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

When was the last time you saw a storm roll in? The clouds the wind when it is a really bad one you can be feeling uncomfortable if you really think about what is ahead of you. My friends in Brooklyn felt this the other week when a tornado touched down in their neighborhood. This picture would have really stuck in the Ancient Near East (ANE). These folks were much more effected by the weather than we normally are. So picture God sitting on a throne with roaring clouds around him, pretty sweet. Reminds me of a set for some rock band, perhaps Spinal Tap?

This God is alive and rock'in those who are worshiping a piece of wood, or a tree, or an old picture of their grandfather are missing out on the show. The entire show makes the followers happy, they are really rock'in out. Their lives are being preserved, they don't have to live in darkness, and for that they are thankful.

All of us are looking for a rock star around to follow. The sad part is the makeup, smoke and mirrors often makes these people. Our hopes are set up and smashed. And of course deep down most of us want to be one, but we look in the mirror and are reminded each day we wouldn't make it. I am thankful that we have songs (Psalms) about God being this way because he should be sexy (not sexist, ha), but it is the ordinary things he does for me that blow my mind. That each day, bone head mistake after bone head mistake, he continues to love me, and bless me. When my fears get the best of me, he settles me down.