by Robert Fudge

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. 5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!" 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. 11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Several years ago, Dianne and I followed the path of a tornado for almost a hundred miles. The destruction that it left along the way was just unbelievable. For many miles it looked as though an army of bull dozers had traveled side by side and totally demolished everything along the way. At that time we talked about the power of God and how that he is in control beyond what we can imagine. This is exactly what this Psalm is describing. Too often man wants to attribute this to “nature” rather than accepting that God is in control. I am not suggesting that we can always know when God is allowing something to happen and when he sends it directly. He alone is God and it is not our place to always know and understand his ways.

This principle is stated in vs. 1 and 2 above. When we don’t understand (or if we think we do) we should just recognize the glory and strength of God. We therefore ascribe the glory to him that is due his name. I do not believe that we in our finite minds can ever grasp the fullness of the glory of God. We can in a small way learn to appreciate his glory and majesty as we ascribe to him what is due him. He is in control. By recognizing this fact, we are giving him glory. When we see catastrophe or misfortune, we don’t presume to judge God’s motives, we just see his majesty and his power in it.

This Psalm is not really about God’s part in “nature.” Oh, it talks about this throughout but that is not really the main lesson to be learned. The fact is that David is saying we see the tornado and the destruction left behind and we know that God is in control. We hear the thunder and see the lightening and know the power of God. This is a demonstration of power, majesty and glory beyond anything man can accomplish. Therefore this same God is able to be in control of our lives. Today we face uncertain times with the economy, the elections, moral issues, with corruption all around fueled by greed. But on a more personal level we face a lack of job security, or family members on drugs, or divorce in our marriages, or the death of a dear loved one, or health issues, or loneliness, isolation or depression and the list can go on. Peter put it this way in 1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I can give him the glory that is due his name. I can go to sleep at night knowing that the God who controls “nature” cares for me and is watching over me. I can be assured that he will never leave me or forsake me. He is God. Let’s each of us today show our trust in him by recognizing that he alone is due glory and honor. May God bless each of us as we recognize his greatness, his power, his majesty and his glory that has been demonstrated in his love through the giving of his son for our eternal salvation. Praise God for he is God.