SOAP 11/01/2015; Psalm 83:18

Today's reading: Psalm 121; Mark 9, 10*

S) "¹⁸ That they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth."

Psalm 83:18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 83

O) This is a song of deliverance, asking God to destroy His enemies and the enemies of His people. There were people seeking to destroy God's people. They were boastful and conspiring with other people to come against Israel (maybe this was written during the time of Esther?). So, the singer asked God to answer this threat with destructive finality. This is fairly common among the Psalms. However, getting all the way to the final few verses, we see something somewhat unique. In v.16, there is mention of the people being destroyed seeking God. In the verse above, we this recognition, this acknowledgment of the LORD repeated. In the events when God moved at large, on behalf of His people as a nation, it was not at all uncommon for the opposition to realize their mistake on a grand level. Pharaoh acknowledged the LORD after the plagues. Nebuchadnezzar recognized the LORD with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Darius recognized the LORD a short while later, with Daniel being saved from the lions. In the context of the Old Covenant at this time, the mercy of God was reserved for the people called by His name. However, the glory of God was to be revealed to all of mankind. What this meant, was that God's glory could be revealed in His lovingkindness and compassion toward His children, but to the rest of the world, the most common way for His glory to be revealed, was through His wrath, and through His mighty and outstretched arm on behalf of His nation, against other nations.

A) Reading through the Psalms can be a great encouragement, but sometimes it's hard to reconcile our merciful God, with prayers asking Him to destroy nations. But, the verse above really reveals the purpose behind songs written this way, at that time. The ultimate goal of my life should be that my Lord is lifted high. Jesus Christ is my God. The Most High should be exalted above all. That should be my goal. In the Old Testament, there was little room for any other way, but His justice to be poured out upon gentiles. However, with the New Covenant, the whole world can be reconciled to God through the spilled blood of Jesus Christ. Now, when I have enemies, I pray for them to be redeemed, not destroyed. Now that there is propitiation for their sins as well, they can be brought to a place of praising God themselves, when they can recognize the Lordship of Christ Jesus, not because of His righteous judgment, but because of His abounding grace and mercy to them, as well as to me, as well as to every repentant person. While the beginning of this Psalm might start a similar way if I was singing it now, the middle would surely be much different. However, in the end, the last lines would remain exactly as they are above.

P) Father God, do not remain quiet. Do not be silent, O God, and do not be still. Even now, LORD, I have family that is desperate to know there is supernatural help. They are in need beyond anything this world could provide. Father, please move in their lives, that they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. Let Your face shine upon them, to save them. Open their eyes and ears, to see that it is You alone, who grants life, and You give it abundantly. Only let Your will be done, Father God. I trust in You. Let me be obedient to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.