Over the years I have worked for a number of organisations where we would sit down to plan for the next year, the next 5 years, even 10 years! Of course, it was all very theoretical, but done seriously based on the past and its application to the possible future. The only problem being that, as Wilcock writes: “concerning the future we know nothing…”
Who would have written into their 10 – year plan in 2015 – “in 2020 we will need to pause and adjust everything for 1 or 2 years while we wait for the dramatic impact of a worldwide Covid-19 pandemic to abate”? Which proves that Wilcock is right. But this is actually only a part of his quote (as recorded in my last Post). He actually wrote:
“the word of the Lord insists that concerning the future we know nothing, except the single fact that one day we shall meet Him, either at our death or at His return. By contrast, the past in all its glittering variety he spreads before those who are prepared to learn from it as a comprehensive guide to living in the meantime.”(# 5)
So, in the light of this truth, let’s now consider the first section (verses 1 – 14) of Psalm 89 when the psalmist proclaims what he has learnt and experienced of the greatness of God. He says:
1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
4 ‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.’”[c]
5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
12 You created the north and the south;
Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13 Your arm is endowed with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
These are the unchangeable truths concerning God. Truths to lead us confidently into an unknown future. He is a God of love, a faithful God who is totally reliable and consistent. There is none like Him. There is none who can be compared to Him in the heavens and on the earth. He is awesome and mighty. He rules over all His creation and acts with a strong arm in the history of mankind. And in conclusion, the great and comforting truth is that Righteousness and justice are the foundation of [his] throne; love and faithfulness go before [him]. (verse 14)
Later, the Apostle Paul would write:
19 In reality, the truth of God is known instinctively, for God has embedded this knowledge inside every human heart. 20 Opposition to truth cannot be excused on the basis of ignorance, because from the creation of the world, the invisible qualities of God’s nature have been made visible, such as his eternal power and transcendence. He has made his wonderful attributes easily perceived, for seeing the visible makes us understand the invisible. So then, this leaves everyone without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20 TPT)
Wilcock concludes:
“…these verses show that both the original creation of land, sea, and sky, and the continuing control of them, are evidences of the supremacy of God in the world that we know, as well as the world above that we don’t. He is sovereign in nature as well as in supernature. He is [also] sovereign in history…” (# 5)
And He is our God and the only real stability and hope in life when the future is in reality unknown to all but him. Therefore, in this knowledge of Him, and in relationship with Him, we can move with confidence into this unknown future. Amen.
Tehilim (Psalms) - "songs of praise". 