God's Reign in Turbulent Times
Grace Sermon Series, Part 10
Psalm 29
Introduction
- Today we wrap up this series on Grace with one final word of encouragement
- Today, let’s turn to Psalm 29
Recap #1:
- The word translated "grace" in the New Testament comes from the Greek:
-- It is the word “charis”, which means “favor, blessing, or kindness”
- When grace is used in connection with God, it takes on powerful meaning
-- Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves
Recap #2:
- God’s grace produces tangible results in our lives
-- It gives us peace for the future and hope to stand firm during trials
-- God has given us His grace as proof of His love for His own
- When we see the results of grace we become strengthened
-- It’s why we can face an uncertain future without fear of the unknown
-- Sure, we may be uncertain in situations; but God is STILL God
-- He is where our hope comes from, and where our focus must be
Recap #3:
- Remember: Grace is His benevolence to the undeserving (you and me)
- Let’s consider this morning God’s grace through a pivotal promise:
-- APP: He is still God, even when the storms reign and our uncertainty is high
- Read Psalm 29 / Pray
∆ Point 1 – Ascribe to the Lord
- First we need to notice the power of the Lord (1-2)
-- The psalmist tells us to “ascribe to the Lord” … but what’s that mean?
-- When you ascribe something you attribute something to a person/place
- So then, apply that word to the wording in the text and meaning is clear
-- “Attribute to the Lord, you heavenly beings” (the heavenly things are His)
-- “Attribute to the Lord the glory due his name” (even His name is glorious)
- We are to submit in all that we are (worship, v2) because of His holiness
-- When we submit like this, it is not in fear – but in reverence of who He is
- Our submission ought to come naturally; it should reveal His authority
-- EX: No difference to your response to your boss telling you to do something
-- We respond because we are motivated by needing our employment
- So if we need motivation to respond to God, if we need to recognize Him
-- Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
- Then we must see the authority even His voice brings (3-9)
-- God’s authority is without question here; and we would be wise to honor it
• “The voice of the Lord is over the waters”
• “The voice of the Lord is powerful”
• “The voice of the Lord is majestic”
• “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars”
• “The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning”
• “The voice of the Lord shakes the desert”
• “The voice of the Lord twists the oaks”
- How powerful is His voice to all that we see today?
-- Genesis 1:3, “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”
- When even the voice has the power to command, our response is obvious
-- We submit, we obey, we cry out when we are in need to the One who can help
- “And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” – Is an immediate response of worship!
-- When we stop recognizing ourselves and remember He is to be worshiped …
- TRANS: So, why is our recognition of even His voice important?
-- Deeper: How does this tie to grace and all that we’ve been studying?
∆ Point 2 – Our World is a Turbulent Scene
- Our world is in distress (10)
-- It is furious and violent; often changing without warning
-- APP: The moral world is not like a river flowing on peaceful land
-- The psalmist describes it as a “flood”; a ferocious ride without end
- From the moral domain: nationally, and internationally
-- Even to the domain that we cannot see: Spiritually
-- The chaos is ever-present and honestly never seems to end
- APP: In times of commotion, our response is normally to jump up
-- To be on high alert, to run and see “what in the world is happening …”
- But God … pause … SITS enthroned over even the flood of our world
- He is enthroned forever; enthroned as King, forever
-- Earthly kingdoms end; even the Queen of England’s reign will end
-- But God, His reign never ends – it is why we can always turn to Him
- It is what gives us not only boldness; but peace in the flood/storm
-- APP: Sometimes, you just need to admit you don’t have it all together
-- Sometimes even the toughest ship needs to spend time in the harbor
-- IMP: Our God sits on His throne, waiting for you to come to Him
- TRANS: And when we come to Him, what is it that we receive?
∆ Point 3 – God still strengthens and blesses
- God’s grace and blessing never ends for those who turn to Him (11)
-- “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
- Sometimes, we just need to see scripture spelled out plainly
-- When we most feel the turmoil of the world and feel out of control
-- “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
- When we are sure there is no end and that the flood will overtake us
-- “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
- In those moments when there seems no hope and grace to be found
-- “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
- Because of God’s infinite love for us; because God calls us together as His
-- “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
- The moment we lose sight of what God can do, we then focus on ourselves
-- The psalmist understood the grace of God and the need that each of us have
- TRANS: So, let’s land the plane in our examination of Grace …
∆ Big Ideas
- There are no new storms that we will face today which take God by surprise
-- Sickness, famine, injury, assault, rebellion, and death all existed in the OT
-- And these things still exist today and still cause us great worry and angst
- But something else existed before all of those things …
-- The Hebrew word “Chen” (pronounced hen) is written over 60 times in the OT
-- It literally means, “favor, grace, and acceptance”; it’s God’s gift to us
- If the storms of the OT weren’t enough to turn God off from giving us grace
-- How much more do we have it now that He’s given His Son for us?
- Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Challenge:
-- Today … are you still running from God … trying to do things your own way?
-- Or will you submit to the very One who sits during the raging storm?
- God hasn’t given up on you; will you allow Him to be the great healer you need?
-- Will you allow Him to be the great comforter that He has always wanted to be?
-- Will you stop trying to do things yourself and submit to Him as Lord?
- His grace is sufficient …
- Pray
