Who Can We Trust? Series

Who can we trust

Psalm 33 (1-22)

Psalm 33 shows us that purity of heart produced by complete forgiveness leads to that intimacy with God which leads us to be guided by His eye, instead of our eyes.

What does complete forgiveness create in His people? That can be seen best, not only by the loyalty and praise of Christians, but what is missing in those who oppose Christ. This Psalm reminds us that our obedience to Christ is not based strictly upon a command, but should naturally flow from a blessed people.

Psa 33:1 Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.

A command to shout for joy in the Lord for the righteous.

Ill. Worst Texas Ranger game we went to, kind of…The Rangers were hopelessly down by several runs late in the game, and we were bored by the lack of life in their performance. We left early and were in the huge parking lot walking to our car when unrestrained cheering began. The crowd roared on and on, and by the time we got the car radio on, the Rangers had rallied back and won. We missed it, but we hear the shouts for joy.

When we understand that righteousness comes from the Lord, it brings forth a spontaneous shout like a stadium cheer. It is natural for the upright to praise the Lord of righteousness.

Psa 33:2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

Psa 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.

It is natural for the upright and faithful to enjoy the music and instruments that are part of giving praise to the Lord. It is good to play instruments for God. They do not belong to Satan.

Ill. Sax player at Forney. We had a small praise team at Fellowship Baptist in Forney, TX, and began adding other instruments. On visitation night, I went to the home of a couple who had visited us on Sunday. The husband indignantly stated, “We will not be back.” I asked why. He said they had been saved from the nightclub life and the saxophone would never be associated with worship in their mind. They were quite offended anyone would play a saxophone in Church. I told them the testimony of the player. He, too, was saved out of the nightclub life. After a service, he came to our music director and said that God had gifted him with the ability to play the sax. He had squandered his talents for years playing for the devil and he wanted to play for Jesus. So we made room for him. I was in tears as I related the story and the joy this man experienced and expressed upon playing for the Lord. His story had moved me greatly and I told of it with reflected joy. The offended couple did come back and actually joined the Church in subsequent weeks. The became good friends with the sax player.

Psa 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

There is an importance in loving righteousness and justice and having steadfast love. For many, those to positions stand opposite. But with God, He reconciles them both just fine in Jesus Christ.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Another important reason to praise the Lord is His power, the power to speak things into existence.

Where did the angels come from? Created by the voice (breath) of God. Since the host of heaven are alive, they require the breath of God to breathe life in them.

Psa 33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.

We see here his involvement in nature, attending to the waters and the depths of the seas. All in His plan.

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

There is a reason here for anyone/everyone to fear and be amazed at the power of God. Why?

Psa 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Others have chosen to oppose God and they bring all they've got. They store and utilize all the power, deception, influence and allies they can to influence the outcome.

Not God. He just speaks and the battle is over, the issue is completed, the war is over. That is enough reason to fear him and be amazed at His power.