strongholds.” Isn’t this what we face? Applying this devotionally, we are impressed by the fact that all evil eventually shall be overthrown. Next in verse 8 we need, “To bind their kings wth chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.” Israel’s boast was an actual fact. Ours is rather a spiritual reality. The chief powers of evil shall be restrained and ultimately destroyed. This def initely refers to the subduing power of the Gospel. It is that double-edged sword of the Spirit. We must be will ing to go out and proclaim the un searchable riches of Jesus Christ, forcefully presenting the alternative that if a man does not receive the Saviour, then judgment will surely come. Some years ago a Sunday school teacher was instructing a class of boys in the sixteenth chapter of the book of Luke. She was relating the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. After she had very care fully illustrated all of these truths, she questioned the boys, “Which would you rather be, Lazarus or the rich man?” The obvious answer, of course, would be Lazarus who went to be with the Lord. One little boy responded qu ite honestly, “Well, teacher, I’d like to be the rich man in this life, but Lazarus in the next.” There are a lot of people like that who’d like thus to have their cake and eat it too. Judgment is coming. God is going to bind the kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron. No matter what standing you may have in this life, in the life to come, because of your rejection of Jesus Christ as Saviour, punish ment will be meted out. Several years ago, the gasoline tax act was enacted in the state of Wash ington. The legislature, unfortun ately, forgot to include a penalty for violations. As a result, some of the people refused to pay the taxes. So the governor had to call a special session of the legislature at which
time an act was passed, which im posed a penalty upon those who hadn’t attached a penalty for the vio lators. Notice, the statement in this verse: “to execute upon them the judgments that are written.” God is not going to have to call a special session of the legislature. These judgments already are delineated carefully in the Word of God. Now, how do we react to this? We are heralds of God’s mercy. We are to proclaim at all seasons the Lord’s grace. When you get right to it, all saints are sent on errands by the King. Some day we shall sit with our Lord in judgment. I Corinthians 6 says, “Do you know that the saints shall judge the world; know ye not that ye shall judge the angels?” There is so much for us believers when we put our mind to praise. May we pray as did the saint of old, “Our Father, Thou hast given us so much. Do please give us one more thing and this is a grateful heart.” Notice how this 149th Psalm closes. “Praise ye the Lord!” It's the same expression with which it began. Someone has suggested that if you want to find gratitude today, about the only place for it is in the dictionary. There was an interesting account contained in a recent church publication. One of the families had given a very substantial gift to their church in memory of their son, whose life had been lost in Viet Nam. An other couple attending the memorial was deeply touched. The wife said to her husband, “Darling, let’s give a special gift, too.” He responded, “But our son isn’t dead.” His wife was right as she pointed out “That’s just the point! Just think how much 11 Envy opens the door for bitterness to come in.
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