of Zion be joyful in their King.” We have a great deal for which to thank the Lord in a day such as this. It is a time of unprecedented opportuni ties, even amid all the problems. A very severe earthquake shook a por tion of California some years ago. In fact, it was so great in magnitude that people were afraid it might bring further destruction and devas tation. A godly old saint was asked, “Weren’t you concerned when that first tremor came?” She replied con fidently, with a smile, “Not at all! I simply rejoiced that I have a God who can still shake the world.” We can be glad of that, too! In consideration of this verse there is a primary definition applying to the children of Israel. At the same time there is a secondary devotional application which needs to be made for our own hearts. Consider for a moment that God first of all made Israel a people who were not a peo ple. They were a nation of slaves. The Lord gave them a miraculous deliverence, guiding them into the Promised Land. These same prom ises were given to Abraham, repeat ed to Isaac, later reiterated to Jacob, and finally to the patriarchs down through the ages. The simple fact of the matter is that our spiritual condition is very similar to that of Israel. Before salvation we were not a people. We were lost, hopelessly condemned without Christ, bound for eternal damnation and perdition. But we who are not a people have been made a people of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The reference here is not to some mystical spiritual Is rael. This is the personal relationship a believer has to the Lord Jesus Christ through faith in Him. There’s another interesting thing to be found in this phrase, “Let Is rael rejoice in him that made him.” In the original Hebrew it shows that the Trinity is taught even in the 149th Psalm. The translation is per haps best rendered, “Let Israel re- 6
joice in God his Maker (makers).” The last is in the plural, for the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spir it are one with God the Father, co equal, co-eternal, co-existent. Notice it doesn’t say that Israel is to rejoice in what their king had done for them. It doesn’t give us that picture at all. This is simply the indication that because of all His blessings and mercies in the past it is enough simply to rejoice in Him. Do we have this same realization of God’s continual goodness and grace? Notice that Israel is the nation. Zion is the capital. Nation refers to the broad scope. King, the King of Zion, symbolizes the Lordship. Do you get the picture? “Do I live just in Israel or am I dwelling in the capital city of Zion ?” In other words, are you “just a Christian?” You’ve been born again; you’re a member of a church, but that’s about as far as it goes. You haven’t entered into any close relationship with the Lord. The nearer we are to God, the closer we are to praising Him continually. C hapter T hree Verse 3 of Psalm 149 encourages us further in this aspect of thanks giving. “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.” Having read that verse, we think of the foolish, worldly-minded people who try to indicate that dancing must be correct because it is spoken of in the Bible. It is true that this word occurs, such as the statement that “David danced before the Lord.” Keep in mind that this was the time when the ark was brought back to its rightful place. If all the dancing you do were confined to being con ducted only before the Lord, out of joy for His victory, then there would be little problem indeed. As most of you know, over the years Biola has had certain standards which have been maintained rigidly. There is a reason for it. We ask our
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