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Thanksgiving for God’s Judgment
Throughout history we see that God opposes the proud and lifts up the humble. God's judgment is equitable, and it is cause for rejoicing.
Scripture: Psalm 75
Sermon Notes:
- This Psalm begins with congregational worship and thanksgiving and ends with praise.
- The congregation rejoices and gives thanks recounting God's wondrous deeds in His judgment of Egypt (cf. Exodus 15:11).
- The modern church has an aversion to the prominent biblical theme of God's judgment.
- The whole Bible from Moses to Jesus to Paul to the book of Revelation clearly announces God's judgment on sin.
- Though God's people suffer while God grants the wicked time for repentance, nevertheless God has set a time for judgment and He will bring equity.
- Asaph is told to wait just as the martyrs in Revelation 6 must wait.
- Throughout history we see that God opposes the proud and lifts up the humble.
- God’s judgment is equitable, and it is the cause for rejoicing.
- God’s judgment is a putting down and a lifting up (cf. 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Isaiah 66:2).
- David submits to God who fills him with the Spirit.
- Likewise we are to submit to the yoke of Christ, that we may find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30).
- Operating in his own power, Saul was useless. By contrast David is able in humility to defeat Goliath.
- We are called to walk in obedience and faith.
- We trust in the Lord of hosts who lifts us up as we submit to Him.
- God’s final judgment is good and complete and it is a cause for rejoicing among God’s people.
- The wine is a symbol of God’s wrath (Rev. 14:10).
- Only those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb can withstand the wrath of God against sin (Revelation 7).
- Christ on the cross drank the cup of God’s wrath against our sin (1 John 4:10; Romans 3:24-27).
- God is patient in pouring out the cup of His wrath, but today is the day of salvation. Now is the time to repent.
- Christ offers the cup of blessing and salvation (2 Cor. 6:2).
- When God brings final judgment it is a day of deliverance for His people a day when God will defeat His enemies.
- God’s justice is a source of comfort for God’s people, and a cause for the praise of God’s name.
- Heidelberg Catechism Question 52 affirms the believers’ comfort in the assurance of God’s final defeat of all His and our enemies.
Application Questions:
- What context was Psalm 75 written into?
- What are the characteristics and results of God’s judgment?
- Why does the modern church reject the doctrines of God’s wrath and final judgment upon the wicked?
- How should we respond to the certain knowledge of God’s judgment?
- What is God’s answer to the question of why the wicked are allowed to live and prosper? How must we respond?
- What are the provisions in Christ that allow us to survive the wrath of God against our sin?
- In what ways have we observed God opposing the proud and lifting up the humble?