Psalm 75

The people of the Lord who call out to Him through prayer are a community with an eternal bond. Though we do not all know each other by name or recognize every face in that multitude, we are connected to millions throughout the world and across every generation because of our union with Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. This community includes the faithful from Israel so long ago who called upon the Name of the Lord as they waited for the coming of the eternal King of the Jews. Together we are the “we” referred to in the Scriptures, “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.”

There is so much to thank God for!

His Name is not far away from us, but near to all in heaven and on earth who call upon Him in truth. All who call upon the Name of the Lord are saved by Him and kept for Him through all kinds of sins and trial. Do you imagine that Jesus has forgotten to keep you or someone you love who has truly called upon the Name of the Lord? The Lord is near.

We should thank Him and recount His wondrous deeds. To think that the Messiah has come and atoned for our sins. How many lambs are still slaughtered throughout the world in ritual sacrifice? Yet the Lamb of God has come and died for the sins of the world. What a work He accomplished on the cross!

Then think also of those empty grave clothes in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. John writes about that morning when He and Peter saw the evidence: They “saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.” Soon the risen Lord was speaking to a woman who saw Him through her tears. He called her by name. “Mary.” The resurrection! What an amazing work of God!

Yet the most amazing work of Christ for anyone to behold is yet to come. If one man's resurrected body is a thing to behold what will it be like for the whole earth to be renewed and for millions to be raised? This too will be the work of the King of the Jews. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Is that coming real to you today?

He says that it will be “at the set time that I appoint.” Imagine that. He has a time set. He will judge with perfect fairness. If it were not for the blood of the Lamb that satisfies the just demands of God, there would be no hope for any of us.

The earth is tottering even now under the weight of iniquity and death. But God keeps its pillars steady. With a simple word He stops the arrogant. Others pretend to be high and mighty, but God alone is the Mighty One.

The Lord reigns even now. One person is lifted up for a time; another meets his end at a time that is unexpected by those around him. Why would anyone want to face the end without the assurance that comes from the death of the One Lamb of God?

But I will praise the Lord today! And you will praise Him with me! And we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who will praise the Name of Jesus! For God will lift us up in Christ forever, and we will dwell in peace with the Most High. We will praise His Name forever and ever!