TOPIC: GOD, A KEEN WATCHER
Read: Psalms 66:1-10
Psalms 66:1-10 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Sin
g forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
MEMORISE:
He rules by His power forever, His eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves (Psalms 66:7)
EXPOSITION
Just as God has special interest in individuals, He also watches over nations. The Bible unequivocally informs, ‘The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good’ (Prov. 15:3). God hates oppression. He fights on the side of the oppressed. There is a day of reckoning for defiant oppressors, whether they are individuals, or nations. He has weapons that can clamp and by-pass hi-tech security alarm systems and teardown the fortresses of nations. His weapons are not man-made, but divine and overwhelming.
Nations beware. A day of gloom awaits those who turn away from the fountain of life (Job 36:19). When godless leaders reign, darkness looms. God is a jealous God. Once a nation turns from Him to her own ways and other gods that might include riches, technology, brain, and vain-glory, He begins to warn constantly. He warns through His Word and prophets. He is longsuffering. Therefore, He waits patiently for repentance. When the warnings are not heeded, He sends punitive blows (Job 38:18). Doomed are nations when God is forsaken. All will be on the edge of precipice. It is a terrible thing to fall in the hands of God.
What are you planning to do, today or whenever? Are you sure it is in line with God’s holiness and righteousness? If it is evil, you had better changed your mind. Hope you have not forgotten that you cannot hide from the all-seeing God (Psa. 139:1ff)?
A Japanese car cannot be more advanced than the Japanese manufacturers. No nation can be more advanced than its Maker. Have you been living without God? Have you abandoned your once-cherished loyalty to God. Please and please come back to Him. He will receive you graciously. Remember, God, who is tender, can be simple, can be severe. Do not abuse His longsuffering (Heb. 10:31).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, don’t let me fall into Your hands of wrath.
2. Lord, be merciful on our nation and fight for the oppressed, like You did in the Scripture.
3. Lord, fight for Christians all over the world that are been unjustly massacred by bandits, terrorists, and fundamentalists, with impunity.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Isaiah 50:10 – 54:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – 5:9
