The nearness of God’s presence

Meditations on Psalm 75

Psalm 75

 ¹ We give thanks to you, O God,
       we give thanks, for your Name is near;
       men tell of your wonderful deeds.

This verse speaks of thanksgiving to God for the nearness of His presence, and the remembrance of His wonderful deeds.

We are called to give thanks in all circumstances, to always praise God with a thankful heart. The number one reason for our thanksgiving is the nearness of God’s presence, and that itself is more precious than gold. The second reason for our thanksgiving is because of the great deeds God has done – with the most important deed the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross that we might be forgiven and raising Him to life that we too may have everlasting life.

 ² You say, "I choose the appointed time;
       it is I who judge uprightly.
 ³ When the earth and all its people quake,
       it is I who hold its pillars firm.
       Selah
Verses 2 and 3 speak of God’s timing, God’s judgment, and God’s holding together of all things. The whole earth moves and continues depending on the timing of God, and as the last days draw near, there are signs that show that the end is near. God is always just, and He will judge each man according to what he has done. We need Jesus, for only by His righteousness can we be saved in God’s eyes. I picture a great earthquake as the earth shakes, with buildings and people trembling, but at the end of the day, when stillness comes, it is because of God, who holds all things together. The Word says of Jesus, in Him all things hold together, and in Him they find their meaning.
 ⁴ To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,'
       and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.
 ⁵ Do not lift your horns against heaven;
       do not speak with outstretched neck.' "
 ⁶ No one from the east or the west
       or from the desert can exalt a man.
 ⁷ But it is God who judges:
       He brings one down, he exalts another.
These verses speak of the need for humility on our part, to realize that any success or lack of success we have depends on God. We are called not to despair at the arrogance of wicked men, but to trust God as having all things under His control.
 ⁸ In the hand of the LORD is a cup
       full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
       he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
       drink it down to its very dregs.
 ⁹ As for me, I will declare this forever;
       I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.
 ¹⁰ I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
       but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

In conclusion, the last few verses speak of the wrath of God descending upon the wicked, and the righteous rising up to receive the reward due to them.

May the Lord help us:-

(i)                  Always thank Him for the nearness of His presence

(ii)                Remember the Good deeds He has done for us

(iii)               Trust in God’s timing and God’s judgment

(iv)              Remain humble, and trust God in all things

(v)                Look forward to the coming of Christ where righteousness will rule the earth

God bless,

Jason