Psalm 75 & 76: God’s Presents
Verse of the Day: (76:11) Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
1. God’s Promotion (75:1-10)
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. (75:6)
Asaph, the musician and prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, penned this passage of Psalm, giving thanks to God that everything was from Him. God created the heavens and earth, and He sustained all lives, and He promoted people to leadership. Though some people may not deserve to be promoted, yet God has a purpose in His plan. This was the case when King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, but subsequently he hanged him for his wickedness, by the gallows which Haman built for Mordecai. (Esther 7) Indeed, everything is from God, and let us praise Him, knowing that ultimately the righteous shall be blessed, the wicked shall be punished, and He shall get all the praise. (Proverbs 3:35)
2. God’s Praise (76:1-10)
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (76:10)
Asaph led the people of God in praising Him through spiritual songs, as they worship Him in spirit and truth in the sanctuary. (John 4:21-24) Though they might not understand God’s ways yet they knew that even man’s wrath could be used for His praise. The perfect example was Jesus’ crucifixion. It was man’s wrath that determined His crucifixion, as men chose Jesus, instead of Barabbas, the notorious prisoner, to be nailed on the cross. However, ultimately, it was God’s plan that Jesus must die as a Saviour of the whole world. (Matthew 27-28) Let us therefore trust God for everything, and praise Him for saving us out of spiritual darkness into His marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
3. God’s Presents (76:11-12)
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth. (76:12)
Asaph kept encouraging the people to praise God for who He is, and what He had done in, for, with and through them. He exhorted them to offer presents, the likes of gold, silver and materials for the construction of God’s sanctuary, as well as provision for the priests and Levites who served in the sanctuary. The people then willingly and gladly offered their presents to Him in gratitude of God’s precious salvation and blessings upon their lives. Asaph reminded them that God who promoted the kings and the princes, was also able to remove them from their thrones, and even cast their souls to eternal condemnation for their unbelief. Indeed, let us fear God, and present ourselves living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him, as both are bodies and souls truly belong to Him. (Romans 12:1-2)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to give my life to You which is my best present to You.
