The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord. For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! (Psalms 97:1-12 ESV)
Have you ever read the ingredients of any of the processed foods we eat? If so you have probably read the words “as a preservative” usually they follow something I can’t pronounce.
And if you are old enough you might remember your grandmother or someone in your family making preservatives or jelly. I know some people still do this but it is becoming a lost art. Also I remember my uncle would can pork sausage after we had just made it.
We do we preserve things? We even do it at death. The women went to the tomb with spice that were meant to mask odor but also to preserve, and embalming is a kind of preservative. Why do we do this?
Preservation helps keep things fresh long. They keep them from spoiling. It is like dipping your sliced apple in lemon juice it will keep them from browning…
That is what this psalm says God does for you! God keeps you from browning, He keeps you fresher longer. He preserves the lives of His saints. He keeps you fresh and ready even when the world attacks. It doesn’t promise that the forces that would spoil you are going away, but it promises that God will preserve you!
aSacredRebel 