Thankfulness – The High Priority!

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by Jim Peters in Hearing God - Jim's Daily D

Psalm 75

Al-tashheth (which means Do Not Destroy)

A worship Song written by Asaph

¹We thank God! We praise him![1]

Your name (tells us that we’re) related to you;

Your wonderful miracles announce it.

² “When the time is right[2],

I will rule fairly.

³ The earth and all who live in it will melt;

I have measured and adjusted (the earth’s) pillars.

[Stop and think about that!][3]

⁴ I said (to those who) are crazy (about themselves), ‘Don’t be crazy (about yourselves).’

(And I said) to the wicked, ‘Don’t lift up your horn[4];

⁵ Don’t lift your horn up high;

Don’t speak arrogantly and proudly[5].’”

⁶ Rising up (in strength doesn’t come) from the east of the west,

And rising up in strength (doesn’t come) from the desert.

⁷ God is the ruler.

He humbles this one

And he raises up another one.

⁸ A cup is in the Lord’s hand and the wine boils;

It’s well mixed and he poured (some of it) out[6].

All the wicked (people) on earth will certainly drink up[7] the last remaining part.

⁹ Forever, I will report –

I will make music and sing to Jacob’s God.

¹⁰ All the horns of the wicked (people) will be cut off,

But (those who are) just and right will be raised up.

[1] “yadah yadah elohiym yadah yadah” = “shoot out/throw/give thanks/praise God shoot out/throw/give thanks/praise”, [2] “when I select an appointed time”, [3] The word used here is “Selah”. It is most probably a musical term indicating the end of a verse and can be translated as “Pause.” It is also a possibility that it could indicate for the reader to stop and think about what has just been read. [4] This might equally be paraphrased “Don’t show your strength” as “horn” was a symbol of strength. [5] “neck/back of neck” I someone could control the neck they could then control the whole person or animal. [6] “pours out of this” [7] “drain/drain out/drink deeply drink/drink cup of God’s wrath”

Application

I am to thank and praise God. It’s the number one thing to do in my life. If I obey him and live in joy and if I always thank him for everything in my life (these are commands, not emotions), then I will always be in a position of trusting God. It’s impossible to be joyful and thankful and, at the same time, to be critical and untrusting. Imagine if the whole church decided to be joyful and thankful all the time!! How could I be offended if I was joyful and thankful? How could I worry or fear if I was thanking God joyfully for his complete control and goodness?

God is going to judge the world when he’s ready. The question is, “Will I be ready?” He has everything under control. He measured it all out and set it up in the first place. So why would I boast about how great I am? Why would I be crazy about myself? The word “hallelujah” is use here to describe people who love themselves. It means “to go crazy praising” and God is the only one who is entitled to this attention. Why do I try to give that praise to myself from time to time?

God raises people up. I don’t have to strive for position and fame. God is the one who puts down and raises up. The implication is that the wicked try to raise themselves into position that God hasn’t called them to. What does this tell me about my own life?

I need to focus on living rightly and praising God who gives position to whoever he wants. I already have the supreme position in Christ. Why would I struggle for something that can only be inferior to what God has already given me?

Prayer

Father, forgive me for striving for my own gain and my own importance. Father, I commit everything to you. I want to live rightly and I want your power and favour in my life. Please teach me your ways and Lord I ask that you will raise me up. Please guide every step so that I honour you and bring you glory rather than do it for me.

IJN Amen

Jim Peters

Thankfulness – The High Priority!

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