First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to him with an instrument of 10 strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy” (Psalm 33:1-3).

The righteous and upright are to rejoice, make music, sing a new song and shout for joy to the Lord, but why? Let’s look at verses 4-5 for the answer: “For the word of the Lord is right, and all his work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his goodness.” The psalmist recognizes four things of the Lord: his word is right, his work is truth, he loves righteousness and justice, and earth is full of his goodness. When we recognize these things of the Lord, we are compelled to respond just as the psalmist did. “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; he lays up the deep in storehouses” (verses 6-7). The psalmist recognizes three more things: the Lord is the creator of all things, he is the source of life, and he controls all elements of his creation.

So, there are seven things the psalmist rejoices over and prompt him to make music. But look at what he writes in verses 8-9: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him, for he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” The psalmist now calls on all the earth to stand in awe of the creator God, for he spoke, and it was done.

In verses 10-11, the psalmist writes of the sovereignty of God.“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” The Lord in his sovereignty controls all human counsel, advice and planning, and his counsel and plans stand forever.

Let’s finish up with verse 12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as an inheritance.” The psalmist makes a statement: “Blessed is the nation that recognizes God is Lord. That he is sovereign over that which he created, and the nations that stand in awe of and recognize this will be blessed.”

If you want to speak to someone at the church or have a need, call the church office at (562) 431-8810. Leave a message, and someone will return your call.