All Heaven Declares

All Heaven Declares

Psalms 89:1-18

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

Ever have someone promise you something and doubt it would ever be fulfilled? While we would like to say that our word is 100% reliable, we often enter and subsequently break so many of our stated intentions that it makes one wonder if anyone’s word means anything! Being a recipient of so many broken promises make it difficult, especially in the storms of life, to even trust that God will do what He has told us! The foundation of the Psalm 89 that we are going to examine today comes from a promise made to King David. In 2 Samuel 7 David was promised that God would “establish His throne forever.” While the exact occasion of the writing of this Psalm is unknown, its writing indicates that it was about an epoch of time when the Davidic dynasty was either in the throws of or had already fallen. Many scholars believe this Psalm was written during Rehoboam’s reign when the Lord abandoned him to the Egyptian king Shishak (2 Chronicles 12:5) or the time when Jehoiachin was deposed by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 22:24-29). With either event in mind the writer is trying to answer a couple of questions of doubt that we often have in the storms of life. When all seems lost, and doubt comes crashing over one’s mind and soul like a raging sea how does one remain filled with love, joy, peace, and that assurance that God will always keep His promises? Can one really expect God to never leave nor forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5) and always work for their good (Romans 8:28)? The author of this Psalm, Ethan the Ezrahite, tells us that doubts are to be conquered by faith! Unlike us God is utterly faithful to whatever He promises! To “fortify against the whispers of doubt” Ethan calls God’s own to remember the attributes of God’s character, specifically His faithfulness and power to control all things seen and unseen (Colossians 1:16). Today’s sermon is going to reviews how the heavenly hosts revering God, the raging seas obeying Him, the earthly powers trembling at His presence, and creation shouting His praise points to one undeniable truth, God is for us and will never break a single promise He has made because He is the Holy one of Israel!

The Father’s Everlasting Love

Ethan begins his song with an outpouring of praise for God’s eternal love and faithfulness as our eternal covenant partner. From the storm of what seemed like inevitable oblivion Ethan’s hope and confidence in God’s “unchangeable love and immutable promises” never wavers. Even though after Zerubbabel the descendants of the Davidic line appeared to “sink into obscurity,” this did not stop Ethan from having a “great sense of assurance” that God would indeed keep His covenant with David. The covenant would not be broken because it is guaranteed by the One who rules over heaven (2)! We are to eternally praise God because the fulfillment of the covenant was not contingent on humanity’s responsiveness but on the holiness, love, and faithfulness of the One who established it! From the seed of David came the incarnate Christ who atoned for our sins on the cross with a title above His head that read, “The King of the Jews” (John 19:20), that would forever ring out as a testimony to His Father’s love and faithfulness for all generations! This sign was written in all three languages of the known world of the time to indicate that God’s covenant would be fulfilled by the Son of David, the second Adam, and entrance into this everlasting kingdom would be given to anyone who believed in atoning sacrifice of His Son Jesus! Considering His love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness Ethan implores each successive generation to praise God continuously. Even when we are in a storm, in a battle against the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12) or are receiving the mighty hand of His discipline (Hebrews 12:4-12), we are in faith to never stop praising His glorious name! “It is Jehovah who deigns to deal out to us our daily benefits, and he is the all-sufficient and immutable God; therefore, our rejoicing in him must never suffer diminution!” Our God is truly an awesome God!

Reflection. Are you struggling to find joy in life? Are the storms of tribulations so difficult that violent, undesirable change and its often-associated fear and depression, never stop whirling around your head? If so, then remember that God is and forever will be the one constant in our lives. Being eternal, sovereign, and faithful to His promises ought to spark much praise of His name! Cast your anxieties on Him by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, and He will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 4:6-7)!