Welcome back to Bible Study Wednesday! This year God has pressed upon my heart to study the book of Psalms. Each Wednesday we take a closer look at a new chapter. Today we are going to chapter 29. If you have not done so, please take the time to read through these 11 verses. I will be sharing some thoughts about today's passage and break down this chapter below. Please pray and ask Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes and ears to receive everything He has to teach you in today's passage. Let's begin!
This particular Psalm of David is about the voice of the Lord. Have you heard the voice of the Lord? So many that say they have heard the voice of God describe it as indescribable. I agree. David creates a beautiful ode to the Lord's voice in the powerful thunderstorm. I love thunderstorms!! The streaks of lightning zipping across the sky, lighting it up like noon time; the rolling thunder that seems to go on and on and the shower of rain, it all makes me relaxed and desiring to sleep.
Verses 1-2
David compels "o ye mighty" to give the LORD glory. This is a song of worship and adoration for the Great God Jehovah! What is worship that David is asking be done unto God? Might it be submission to the plan and purpose God has for our lives? He says, Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. There is none holy but God. We can try to be holy and strive to be like God in His holiness, but there is no beauty of holiness apart from God's holiness.
There's a beautiful passage connected to this in the Old Testament book of First Chronicles. It reads:
1 Chronicles 16:23-36
Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day His salvation.
Declare His glory among the heathen; His marvellous works among all nations.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.
Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Fear before Him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations: The LORD reigneth.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because He cometh to judge the earth.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.
And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to Thy Holy Name, and glory in Thy praise.
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
I know that was a lot to digest but it pairs beautifully with this particular psalm of David about the beauty of God's holiness and how we ought to worship Him.
Verses 3-9
David says the voice of the LORD is:
*upon the waters
*powerful
*full of majesty
*breaking the cedars of Lebanon
*divides the flames of fire
*shakes the wilderness of Kadesh
*makes hinds to calve
*discovers the forest, strips it bare
Do you remember what the Bible says about the sound of God's voice in the book of John? This is the time of Passover, and there were certain Greeks that wanted to see Jesus. In fact they asked Philip to make the connection. So Philip told Andrew and the two men together told Jesus. This was His response, and watch what God says and how it was described by others.
JOHN 12:23-33 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him. Jesus answered and said, This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.
Some said the voice was like thunder. Others heard it and said it was an angel speaking. Jesus said the Voice was heard for the people's sake. God did not have to speak to Jesus where others could hear. Jesus was in communication with the Father often, but this was a sign and a wonder that God was speaking directly to Jesus. The people still missed it. David is telling us in these last few verses what the voice of God can do!
Verse 10
David paints a beautiful picture of the King of kings sitting upon the flood. Floods damage homes, crops, create destruction and discord. Floods are disasters. David tells us that God sits on the flood. When the waters rise, God rises higher. When the water surrounds us and it seems like we may go under, our Savior and Lord is sitting high on the flood waters. He is in control of the storms of life. He is lifting us up and out of the deep waters threatening to take us under and He allows us to overcome the stress and the strife. What a beautiful and awesome reminder!
Verse 11
David said there is two things God will do in the storms we are facing. There are two gifts God gives us when the battles are hot and we cannot see which way leads to safety.
*God will strengthen His people!
*God will bless His people with peace!
Friends, no matter how dark the night may be, hold on to this promise! You may think you are on a never-ending roller coaster of emotions and events that are out of your control. Don't worry, it is not more than God can handle. It is not out of His hands. It is not out of His control. Hold on to the hand of the Master and He will give you strength. Hold on to the unchanging hand of God and He will give you His peace. In the middle of the disaster God will be your anchor, your hope, your strength, and your peace. Listen to His voice and follow His instructions. He wants to help you!
I hope you are encouraged by today's Bible study. It is a wonderful picture of God's love and kindness to His children. I know some people dislike storms, the thunder scares them, and the lightning sends them running for the covers. Not everyone will enjoy a good thunderstorm like I do, but regardless of how you feel about natural storms, there are supernatural storms that come and I do not like those! God promises to give us strength and peace as we trust and rely on Him. How about you? Will you trust Him and allow the King of Glory to guide you through the floods of life? He sits on top of the flood. He is not going under. He is in control!
I pray that something I shared on the blog today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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