
In the second section of Psalm 89, verses 9-13, we see God’s creative power and sustaining authority over the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all. As our Creator, He is also our Owner, and by His strong arms and hands, He established and continues to maintain everything. Here in verse 9, we read that He “rules over the surging sea – when the waves mount up, He stills them …” Storms are inevitable in this life, and we face them both physically and spiritually, but the Lord is the Master of the storm. In Mark 4:37, we read that “a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped,” but Jesus got up from His sleep and “rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” (cf., Mark 4:37-39). Only God can do this. Jesus demonstrated His deity, and here, He fulfilled the reality of Psalm 89:9. How much more is He able to calm the emotional, psychological, and spiritual storms that assault our lives? We notice what Ethan the Ezrahite adds: “The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth – you founded the world and all that is in it” (verse 11). Do we really live like that is true? What are the implications of living in a world that belongs to Someone else? These are sobering questions that we need to consider as we live our daily lives.
Again, today in Hosea, we come to chapters 11:12-14:9, and we see God’s unconditional love for Israel and all mankind. In spite of our rebelliousness, God calls us to repent and “return to Him” (cf., Hosea 12:6). Truly, God never gives up on us, but He reminds the people of Israel, “I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of Egypt – you shall acknowledge no God but me – no Savior but me” (verse 4). He says, “I cared for you in the desert – in the land of burning heat” (verse 5). God expects them – and us – not merely to acknowledge Him, but also to serve Him. He promises to “ransom them from the power of the grave and to redeem them from death” (verse 14). Here, Hosea writes what Paul quoted – “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (cf., Hosea 13; 14; and 1 Corinthians 15:55). Hosea 14:9 ends the book with a call to wisdom and discernment – because “God’s ways are right.” The righteous will walk in them, but the rebellious will stumble over them.
In Romans 9:1-21, I can identify with Paul’s anguish for the lost, although I confess – perhaps not to the same extent of wishing myself accursed for their sake – for I realize that I cannot coerce or make other people’s decisions for them. Paul ends the argument by asserting that we have no right to call God into question – he says, “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him Who formed it, ‘Why did You make me like this?’” (verse 20). Although God will allow and even encourage our valid inquiries, in the end, He never permits us to establish ourselves self-righteously over Him, His authority, His motives, or His actions - as if to blame Him for something we don’t like. Such an irreverent condition places us on shaky ground before our Creator and Owner. We need to recognize and acknowledge that He alone is the holy, righteous, faithful, sovereign, and transcendent Creator of all things. Before God, all we can do is praise and thank Him for His mercy to us. God is righteous both in His mercy toward us (i.e., election) and in His grace (i.e., our free will). We simply need to praise Him … and leave it there.
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