PSALM 97
Psalm 97:1 says “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice.”
Brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s people ought to rejoice that God is the great King
over all, is still on the throne and has absolute authority and rule over His creation. The Lord’s
reign can only be a source of joy to you when you submit to Him. If you acknowledge that the
Lord reigns over any and all problems you might be going through and you submit to His
rightful rule, it will bring you great joy. You will know that these things did not happen by
accident, but rather by the loving care of the God who will work these things together for your
good. However, if you don’t acknowledge that the Lord reigns over these problems, you will
panic, become depressed or anxious. The truth that the Lord reigns is a cause for rejoicing if
you submit to His sovereignty because He is glorified; and whatever tends to His honor, is His
people’s pleasure.
On the other side, those that are not subject to the Lord should fear His coming in
judgment because of the frightening encounter with God’s presence (Psalm 97:2-6). Because of
God’s power, none of His enemies will escape when He comes in judgment as He will judge the
world in righteousness and defeat all His enemies.
The Lord reigns: Let idolaters be ashamed, but let His people rejoice (Psalm 97:7) The
reason for their shame is that they have put their trust in and served manmade objects that are
nonentities. Everyone who is not in submission to the Sovereign Lord is serving idols of some
kind. They may not set up actual images to pray to, but they serve the idol of self (I, me &
myself), sexual pleasure, money, fame or power. Their idols will not help them when God’s
judgment comes as the idols themselves will be subjected to God’s judgment. If you boast in
anything other than the Lord as your help and deliverer, you are boasting in stupid idols. God’s
people welcome God’s judgments because they bring about a new order, moral values, and
quality of life. To them it is good news.
The Lord reigns: Let those who love Him hate evil and be glad in Him (Psalm 97:10-12).
You must show your love to God by hating all sin in temper, word, and work. As a result of
loving God, He guards the lives and souls of His faithful. Care is taken for their safety and the
Lord will preserve the souls of His saints from sin and despair under their greatest trials. All that
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in His exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them.
Brethren, God will lift up the humble, judge all the people, destroy the wicked, bring all
believers together and establish the new heavens and the new earth. This hope should
encourage you every day.
PRAYER FOCUS. We are children of the King. He is Sovereign and He reigns Supreme. Our Father
and our Lord, please bless us with favor, grace, joy, guidance, and breakthroughs.