In media res (Psalm 47)

After a late evening in which I heard remarks or received information that demonstrated effective ways forces of evil harm the churches and our nation, I woke this morning with a backache and tired eyes, exacerbated by an anxious spirit and a discouraged mind.

Providentially, the next psalm in my devotional reading was Psalm 47:

Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth (1-2).

Wow! Now that's a joyful psalm! It reminds me that I don't have to fear foreign takeovers or internal choas; I just need to fear the Lord. He is the One and Only God who either condemns or saves. We call him the Most High because he is higher than any power or authority on this earth. Our nation may crumble, our bodies may be killed, but God holds our souls.

God isn't sitting idly by in heaven while the world falls apart. He takes an active interest in his people and works in their lives.

He subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves (3-4).

God miraculously rescued his people from their slavery in Egypt. He conquered mighty nations to give his people the heritage he had chosen for them. He did all this because he loves his people as his own dear children. He is able to do this because he is Almighty God.

God has gone up with a shout,
the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm! (5-7)

Because God is the King of all the earth who acts forcefully on our behalf, we should joyfully and enthusiastically praise him!

God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples gather
as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is highly exalted! (8-9)

God is sitting in heaven, but he is also reigning over all the nations (including ours). He will work all the events of current history for his glory and honor. No matter what people gather together, all their weapons (defensive and offensive) belong to God. He is the One who controls the outcome of each attack and every battle.

We stumble along--somewhere in media res (in the middle of things). But we've read the end of the Book, and we know how the story ends.

We win!