Passage: Psalm 99
The Big Idea
Psalm 99 proclaims the reign of the holy God, with a refrain that rings three times: He is holy. He’s enthroned between the cherubim, great in Zion and lover of justice. Yet He answered ordinary people like Moses, Aaron and Samuel when they called on His name. And He showed Himself to be God-Who-Forgives, even while dealing with sin.
Reflections
The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim (v. 1). You’re in control. You see everything, including me. I’ll tremble at the thought of depending on myself, and cast myself on You. Between the cherubim, over the mercy seat, is where You meet with sinners.
The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples (v. 2). All praise, all trust and all hope are Yours. You’ve made my life, my body, Your holy place. The enemy tries to defile it, and You restore it every time.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name; He is holy (v. 3). I’ll meditate on Your character and wonder at Your deeds. You’re truly holy, set apart from everything in Your glory.
The King’s strength also loves justice (v. 4). Your strength is always aimed toward my deliverance. I trust You. Show me Your way today. Bring healing and help to my family.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy (v. 5). I sit before You and give You my attention, heart and mind. You’re better than all success and failure. Teach me to trust You more.
Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the Lord, and He answered them (v. 6). Men like me: failures and sons, weak and used by You. Teach me to call on Your name, not just wait passively. I want to dive into the life of Jesus. You’ll answer.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; they kept His testimonies (v. 7). Relationship comes before obedience. Speak to my heart, Lord, even when it’s dull.
You answered them, O Lord our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds (v. 8). I want Your forgiveness more than anything, and I can’t bear Your vengeance. Jesus, You are both: the One who bore the vengeance and the One who forgives. Be all in all to me.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy (v. 9). You’re not just the center of my life, but my whole life. Provide for my family, the church and Your kingdom work, or send me wherever You want. I just need to be near You.
Grace Takeaway
The holy God is also God-Who-Forgives. At the cross, the vengeance our deeds deserved fell on Jesus, so the forgiveness could fall on us. Call on His name like Moses and Samuel did. He still answers.
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