On the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, our congregation gathers in the evening for what we call “Praise And Pie.” As we frequently remind ourselves, the praise comes before the pie.
This year our devotional thoughts turned to Psalm 29. This Psalm interrupts the bustle and flow of our daily lives to remind us about our God. As such, its message naturally evokes praise for our God. However, the nature of this praise elicits thanksgiving.
As the Psalm begins we seem to find ourselves in the heavenly throne room. The center of attention is a call that goes forth for the heavenly beings to acknowledge the LORD’s glory and power.
Before we can even hear a chorus break out praising God, we are immediately granted a front row seat to the LORD’s glory. The voice of the LORD comes thundering off of the Mediterranean Sea whipping up a mighty storm displaying something of his majesty.
As the storm passes over the land, the voice of the LORD overwhelms everything considered strong. Cedars break. The land itself undulates like a calf skipping. The LORD’s shout strikes out with flashing lightning as the wilderness trembles.
From our front row seat, we suddenly hear a shout coming from his temple. “Glory!” Having witnessed the power of the LORD’s voice, what response other than “Glory!” would be appropriate?
Earlier the call had issued forth for the heavenly beings to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD. Now their chorus is at full force.
As this Psalm draws to a close, we learn what this glimpse of God’s glory means for us his people. In the ancient near east, the flood was one term to describe cosmic chaos. We might describe one aspect of such chaos as being life turned upside down and inside out. Disorder destroys what is good. Trouble thrives.
Yet, we are told that “the LORD sits enthroned above the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as King forever” (Ps. 29:10). God is not mired down by the forces of chaos. He reigns above them. The LORD is sovereign.
And it is because of God’s enthroned position over the flood and because of his glory that he can help his people! Hope lives! The Psalmist breaks forth with a prayer, “May the LORD protect his people; may the LORD bless his people with peace” (Ps. 29:11).
Psalm 29 interrupts our busy lives. It reminds us about God’s glory. Praise is the natural response. More than just this, Psalm 29 renews our awareness that the LORD is enthroned above all of life’s troubles. And as such, the LORD can strengthen and bless our lives. What began as praise acknowledging our LORD erupts into thankfulness!