If you would, the Psalm 97. Psalm
97. The name of the message is Divine
Providence. Divine Providence. Psalm 97. We'll read the whole psalm. It's
only 12 verses, so we'll read the whole psalm. But our main
focus will be on verse 1. That'll be our launching point
to the three points. The Lord reigneth. The Lord reigneth. It's not up for question. It's
not up for debate. The scriptures declare, the Lord
reigneth. Oh, as we sung in that song,
that make us say it as well. It's well with my soul. The Lord
reigneth. Let the earth rejoice. Let the
multitude of Isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round
about him. Righteousness and judgment are
the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him and burneth
up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the
world. The earth saw and trembled. The
hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord. At the
presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his
righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be
they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols.
Worship him, all ye gods. Zion heard and was glad. And
think of that in light of there was a time when we didn't hear.
We know Zion is a church. There was a time when we didn't
hear, but when we heard and when we've been given hearing ears,
now that we've been given hearing ears, we're glad, aren't we?
We're glad. Zion heard and was glad. And
the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.
For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth. Thou art exalted
far above all gods. Ye that love the Lord hate evil.
He preserveth the souls of his saints. He delivereth them out
of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord,
ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. Now tonight we'll look at the
subject of divine providence, and our text will be the first
verse of this psalm where we read, The Lord reigneth. Let
the earth rejoice. Let the multitude of Isles be
glad thereof." Have you ever talked to someone who may ask,
is anybody running this world? You ever ran across people in
your life and some people who don't believe in the Lord at
all and they wonder, what is going on? You meet them all the
time, don't you? And if you were to go outside
and you were to ask a hundred different people Who do you think is running this
world? You probably get a hundred different
answers. You really would. And some claim
that things happen by chance. And some believe things are just
fate. And some believe that there's
a cold intelligence at the helm of the universe. And again, if
you ask a hundred different people, you'll get a hundred different
answers to what they think. And everybody, I'll tell you
what, you start asking people, they'll be glad to give you their
opinion. They always are. They always are. But the scriptures
here very plainly, right before us, proclaim a truth. And like
I said earlier, it's not up for debate. The Lord reigneth. He reigns. That means, as a king
sits upon the throne, and is in dominion over the vast domain,
whatever dominion he has, whatever amount of land he has, he is
in charge. He is over it all. It's his. Well, the Lord reigneth. He reigns over heaven and earth.
He reigns over things visible and invisible. He's an absolute
monarch. It's not up for debate. And for
God's people, this is real comforting for us. This is really comforting
for us. So some may ask, though, who's
running this world? If the world is run by someone,
who's in control? Some claim in the religious world
that Satan's in control of this world, and some claim that is
run by a group of dictators and human kings. Christian people
who study the word of God and believe what it says, that's
the other thing, we believe what it says. We know that this universe, this
world is ruled by our great God. And he is our heavenly father.
He's our heavenly father. He's the one mentioned right
here in verse one. The Lord reigneth. Let the earth
rejoice. Let the multitude of Isles be
glad thereof. We often speak of his providence.
We often speak of his providence. We who believe in the Lord. And
it means that he reigns. He's in full control. Nothing
happens by chance. Spurgeon said the word luck should
be struck from the Christian's vocabulary. I agree with him.
There's no such thing as luck. There's no such thing as chance.
No, absolutely nothing. Now things catch us by surprise,
don't they? Oftentimes they do, right? Nothing catches God by
surprise, nothing. absolutely nothing. He is the creator, He is the
controller, and He is the director. He is absolutely, fully sovereign. That's what this means. The Lord
reigneth. He reigns. He's in full control. Now, the way some people talk God isn't running anything at
all. He just wound it up and let it go. According to them, maybe he lost
interest in it, I don't know, or he's lost control over it.
No. When we study the Word of God,
we know that our God is in absolute full control. Providence has
been defined as God's attention concentrated everywhere. Everywhere. I told you guys looking
at that blade of grass today. You know what came into my mind
too? I didn't mention it this morning,
but you know what came to mind? All the blades of grass in the world
that are moving. He knows exactly that. He is that much in control,
beloved. That not even a sparrow falls
to the ground anywhere in this globe. Without him knowing. And the scriptures declare that
he knows us so intimately. and even the very hairs of our
heads are numbered. That's an intimate knowledge.
Vicki and I were talking today about in light of all this and
about how God is the he is the ultimate artist. He's the ultimate
artist. This world is a masterpiece and
it's a fallen world now, right? Because when Adam fell, But when
he first created it, it's a masterpiece. But even we can look at it and
go, this is beautiful. We see God's beauty everywhere,
don't we? We see his handiwork everywhere. And then just think
that he's in full control. And then we see one another who
are his blood-bought people, and we're miracles of his grace.
We're monuments to his grace and his mercy. The God of the Bible is infinite
in power. Therefore, He can concentrate
on everything in every place. There is not a place, there is
not one place in this universe, in the heavens, in the earth,
anywhere that He is not in full control. He controls it and He cares for
it. He created all this. He sustains
it all. Turn, if you would, to Psalm
136 and Isaiah 46. Psalm 136, 25. Look at this. Psalm 136. Psalm 136. Let's start in verse 23. Who
remembered us in our lowest state, for His mercy endureth forever. And hath redeemed us from our
enemies, for His mercy endureth forever. Look at verse 25. Who
giveth food to all flesh, for His mercy endureth forever. even the unsaved feast on the
bounty from His hand. It says there, who giveth food
to all flesh, all flesh, for His mercy endureth forever. And then turn, if you would,
to Isaiah 46.10. And look at this. We've read
this verse many times, but let's look at it in light of this God
in full control, absolutely full control. I love this portion of Scripture.
Isaiah 46, 10 declaring now, remember things we know things
from the beginning of our life, right? And until we die, we and
we learn things as we go along, right? So we learn, we go from
beginning to end. Remember God is outside of time
and space. He created time and space. He's outside of that. And his
thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways.
Look at this, declaring the end from the beginning. He already
knows everything that's going to happen. The scripture proves
that too, doesn't it? Because there were things prophesied
by God that came to pass. He knows the end from the beginning.
I love this. And from ancient times, the things
that are not yet done. From eternity, beloved. From eternity. I think it was
Joe who masterfully bought out that it's just eternity. It's
not just eternity past, present, and future. It's eternity. He
dwells in eternity. The ancient, and from ancient
times, the things that are not yet done sane, look at this,
my counsel shall stand. That's not changed. Folks say,
well, the Bible there, it was written years ago, and it's just
not for modern times. Ah, well. I hope the Lord will
give people like that faith in Christ, because otherwise they're
just perishing their sins, and then they're gonna find out that
his counsel does stand. My counsel shall stand, and look
at this, and I will do all my pleasure. That tells us that God does whatever
he pleases. And you know, this goes against
the grain of what's taught in modern religion. But think of
this. I want us to bring this home.
It says there, and I'll do all my pleasure. Brother Chet, God was pleased
to save you. It brought him pleasure. Bring
it home to every one of us who are his blood-bought people.
It pleased God to save us. Isn't it wonderful? It's absolutely
wonderful. He does whatever he pleases. He saves whomever he wills. And no one can stay his hand. And no one can say, what are
you doing? Which is, what doest thou? No
one. He does whatever he pleases in
the armies of heaven. And the scripture says, and none
can stay his hand. None. Think of if someone came
up to a king in the olden days and said, well,
you know, sir, I know you told me that I have to do this, but
I'm not going to do that at all. It wouldn't be long before his
head was gone. And people think that they just
shake their fists at God. You can't do that. You can do
whatever it pleases. You can do whatever it pleases. That's the God of the Bible.
He reigns. That's what the scripture said,
isn't it? He reigns. He reigns in absolute power.
Think upon this, a man may manufacture articles and then lose control
over them. A man may be killed in an airplane
that he makes. He may be killed in a car that
he makes. He may be poisoned by medicine
that he manufactures. A father or mother may be disgraced
by a daughter or son that they rear. But God is in absolutely
no danger from His creation. He cannot be disgraced by His
creatures. And all who oppose Him will one
day find themselves in absolute disgrace, danger and destruction. Providence is mysterious. From our side, things seem to
be in disorder and confusion as we look at this world and
we see conflict in different places. And sometimes there seems
to be no order or plan. Disorder seems to be everywhere.
People often come to the conclusion that, that's when people come
to the conclusion that, well, nobody's in control. Well, that's
natural man's thinking. And I know, because I was there. There seems to be no order in
the movement of bees to and from the hive. But examine the honey,
and you will see a plan, an arrangement in order. Brother Tom told me,
if you want to see intelligent design, just study a beehive. He raises bees, he has some beehives,
and he says, Wayne, all you gotta do is look, and you see intelligent
design there. It's absolutely stunning. He
said, take your breath away. Bees gather their stores of honey
against the time of need, and they are colonized by man's superior
intelligence for their own purpose. So men plan and yet are overruled
by infinite wisdom, by God for his own glory. Now to the believer
in Christ, providence is very comforting for us. To know that
the Lord reigns is very comforting for us. Very comforting for us. And I am glad that everything
is under His control. Are you? Because then we know the truth
of Romans 8.28. Knowing that God is in control,
we can know the truth of Romans 8, 28. We know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the call according to his purpose. Divine providence is precious
to the believer. But it would not be if God was
not in control. Providence covers all the little
things as well as great things. As I said earlier, the very hairs
of our head are numbered. Turn, if you would, to Matthew
10, 29. And we'll see, we'll just look
at this one verse about the little sparrow. We
see sparrows all the time, don't we? Oftentimes, flying, I love
sparrows. I can watch them all day long.
I just love that little bird. Oh my, look at this. Matthew 10, 29. Are not two sparrows
sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall
on the ground without your Father. Look at this in verse 30. But the very hairs of your head
are numbered. Fear ye not therefore ye are
of more value than many sparrows. Isn't that wonderful? God says of his people, you're
of more value than many sparrows. And yet not even a sparrow falls
to the ground without him noticing. I love that. The very hairs of
your head are numbered. That's an intimate knowledge,
beloved. That's extremely intimate knowledge.
I don't even know how many nut hairs I have. It's my body. But God knows. It's incredible. Our fingers
are sewed up. Every one of us have different
fingerprints too. It's incredible. Absolutely stunning. So we have no trouble in seeing
that God is in control of the good. We see His reign in the
church and where the members are interested in His service
and love and live for His glory. And we can see God's reign in
the Christian home where everything is ordered and carried on for
His honor. But the hard thing for us to see is that He reigns
everywhere and that He's in control of the wicked as well as the
good. and God's control with respect
to man's evil acts as described in the Bible as of four sorts. Number one, God's providence
is preventative. It's preventative. Turn, if you
would, to Genesis chapter 20. Genesis chapter 20. God, by his
providence, prevents sin which would otherwise be committed.
Now, I was thinking about this today. I was thinking about the wickedness
that happened during the war and the atrocities War is always
a time where there's atrocities and wicked things happen. Well,
wicked things happen every day, too, though. But often think
about, you read about what some of the folks did to other people
and how cruel they were. But know that that was restrained. Oh, how evil men would be if
we were left to our own self fully. I don't even want to think
of how we'd be. Genesis chapter 20, verses 3
to 6. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said
to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which
thou hast taken, for she is a man's wife. But Abimelech had not come
near her, He said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, she is my
sister. And she, even she herself, said, he is my brother. In the
integrity of my heart and in the innocency of my hands have
I done this. And God said unto him in a dream,
yea, I know that thou hast done this in the integrity of thy
heart. Look at this. For I also withheld
thee from sinning against me. Therefore suffered I thee not
to touch her. So God's providence is preventative.
He restrains sin. He restrains sin. And we know
the love of Christ restrains us, doesn't it? It restrains
us. The wicked do not do all that
they would do if God did not prevent them from doing it. All
the iniquity that is in the human heart does not come out. God
restrains men from sinning. We who believe know this to be
true in our own lives also. Number two, God's providence
is permissive. God permits sinful men to cherish
and manifest the evil dispositions of their hearts. Now God is not
the author of sin at all. All he has to do for a man to
sin is simply leave them alone. And I can testify of that before
I was saved, can you? Just think of how we were. My
gosh. He just has to leave a man or
a woman alone and our sin nature will take care of the rest. What does God have to do for
a man to go to hell? What's he have to do? Leave him
alone. What does God have to do for
a man to go to heaven? One word. Everything. Everything. Christ came down
to this world. God himself. Live in the perfect
life that we could never live. as our substitute. Can any of
us in this room live a perfect life? Not one of us. Christ did
it for us. We who are His people, He did
it as our substitute. And then He goes to that cross,
the sinless man, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. And He
dies upon that tree for my sin. And if you're a believer
for your sin, He did everything for us, didn't He? He did everything we couldn't
do. Everything. Oh, what a great God we have. Turn, if you would, to Psalm
81. Psalm 81. I'll read a portion in 2 Chronicles
32, 1. It says, How abating the business of the ambassadors of
the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder
that was done in the land. God left him to try him, that
he might know all that was in his heart. And look at this in
Psalm 81, verses 12 and 13. Look at this. So I gave them
up. unto their own hearts, unto their
own hearts lost. He gave them up. And they walked in their own
councils. Oh, that my people had hearkened unto me and Israel
had walked in my ways. Says right there, he gave them
up into their own hearts. Just left them alone. Turn it,
if you would, to Romans chapter one. God leaves men alone and
they walk in their own ways. Who in times past suffered all
nations to walk in their own ways? Acts 14, 16. Look at this
in Romans chapter 1. Romans chapter 1. This is very
clear right here. Romans chapter 1. Starting in verse 24. Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts. to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. Look
at that, He gave them up. Who changed the truth of God
into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than
the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave
them up into vile affections, for even their women did change
the natural use. into that which is against nature,
and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lusts one toward another, men working that which
is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of
their error, which was meat. And even as they did not like
to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them, there it is, God
gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which
were not convenient. He just gives them over. Gives
them over to their own lusts. being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whispers, backbiters, haters
of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient
to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural
affection, implacable, unmerciful, who, knowing the judgment of
God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not
only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Now, we don't vault ourselves
up as God's people because we know there was a time when we
walked in our own ways. Praise God, he didn't leave us
there. Praise God. Because if he had,
we'd still be doing those things. Oh, beloved of God, we have received
mercy. Mercy. C.D. Cole tells of a woman
who'd been slandered and how she recoiled and rebelled when
told that God had permitted it for her good. She maintained
that Satan had inspired her accuser and she needed to learn that
God had permitted the work of Satan. Turn, if you would, to
Job. Job, chapter 2. Job, chapter
2. Here's a lesson that can be learned
for us. Who is really in control? Who is really in control? Now,
in religion, I remember the religious circles anyways that I hung around
with, they spoke that the way they spoke about Satan, well
you thought Satan was ruling everything. You thought he was
ruling everything. And I listened to Brother Henry
and he straightened me out and I, Satan's on the leash. You know, he can only do what
God allows. Now, he's far greater foe for
us. We could not handle him. But he's submissive to our King,
beloved. He's submissive to our Father.
He's submissive to our Savior. Look at this in Job chapter 2.
Let's look at verses 3 to 6. And the Lord said unto Satan,
Hast thou considered my servant Job? There is none like him in
the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and
escheweth evil. And still he holdeth fast his
integrity, although thou movest me against him to destroy him
without cause. And Satan answered the Lord and
said, skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give
for his life. But put forth thine hand now
and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy
face. Now look at this in verse six.
And the Lord said unto Satan, behold, he's in thine hand, but
save his life. He couldn't kill him. Who's in control there? God,
amen. God's in full control there.
He's in full control. Remember our text? He reigns. Who's reigning there? Who's coming before who? You notice that? Even Satan's
got to come before the king. Oh, my beloved. Oh, my. This is our great God. His providence is permissive.
The next is His providence is directive. The evil in human
heart will certainly come out if God does not prevent it. So
when it does come out, He directs its flow in one direction or
the other, so that its flow will not overthrow God's purpose. And He even has man's evil accomplish
His own will. His own purpose. Turn, if you
would, to Genesis chapter 50. We have a very clear picture
there. Genesis chapter 50 and also in Acts chapter 4. Genesis
chapter 50 and Acts chapter 4. And then I'll read Psalm 76.10
which says, Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, the
remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Psalm 76.10, Surely
the wrath of man shall praise thee, the remainder of wrath
shalt thou restrain. Look at this, though, in Genesis
50, a story we're all familiar with, the story of Joseph and
his brethren. And look at verses 19 and 20, and we see here that
God overrules, he's overruled the evil that Joseph's brethren
meant for Joseph. We see it overruled by God's
providence. Genesis 50, verse 19, and Joseph
said unto them, fear not. Those are precious words right
there. Fear not. I want to do a message
one time just on those two words. Fear not. That's what David told
Mephibosheth. Remember? Mephibosheth thought,
man, I'm dead. Because remember, whenever a
new king took over, they'd slaughter the old house? He thought, I'm
dead. But oh, David and Jonathan had
made a covenant before Mephibosheth was even born. And that picture's
God's covenant between the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit in eternity. For we were even born, beloved.
And David said in Mephibosheth the same words, fear not. Fear
not. So here we see Joseph, who's
a type of Christ, saying unto his brethren, fear not. For am
I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil
against me, but God meant it unto good. See, what they did was evil. But God used it for good. He overruled it, didn't he? He
reigns. Look at this. As it is this day,
to save much people alive. Oh, now. You could take that
right to Christ, couldn't you? Let's go to Acts chapter 4, and
I'll show you how. Acts chapter 4, look at this. Acts chapter 4, verses 27 and
28. We know that wicked men took
the Lord of glory and crucified Him, didn't they? And God allowed
it to happen, didn't He? He allowed it to happen. Look at this, though. This is
marvelous. Think of that in light of what Joseph said to save much
people alive. Look at this. For of a truth
against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both
Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of
Israel, were gathered together." Well, that's everyone, isn't
it? They're gathered together. Look at this, "...for to do whatsoever
thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." Look at that. Wicked men took our Lord, didn't
they? And they crucified Him. Remember, He knows the end from
the beginning. Remember, He reigns. He's in
absolute control for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined
before to be done. Nothing catches God by surprise. Remember that when a trial comes
up in our lives, because they often do. Remember, or a time
of sorrow that just suddenly comes upon us. Nothing catches
God by surprise. Take it to the Lord. Take it
to our King. Go to Him and just fall before
Him. Ask Him to give you grace and
strength and make it through whatever you're going through.
That's what I do. I just go to the Lord and just
plead for Him to give me grace and strength. That's what I pray
for all of you when I hear that you're going through something.
Oh Lord, give them grace and strength. Give them grace and
strength. for to do whatsoever thy hand
and thy counsel determined before to be done." That's God in full
control. His providence is directive and
then his providence is determinative. God determines the bounds reached
by the evil passions of his creatures. Again, In Job chapter 1, I'll just read
it. And the Lord said unto Satan,
Behold, all that he hath is in thy power. Only upon himself
put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the
presence of the Lord. Again, he couldn't kill Job.
But the Lord did say to him, Behold, all that he hath is in
thy power. Only upon himself put forth thine
hand. God made a boundary, doesn't
he? You can't go further than that. Who's in control? God's
in absolute control. He's in absolute control. God
and His providence permitted Satan to move against Job. But God was watching over his
sheep the whole time. Satan could not take Job's life
because he was not permitted to do so. He was not permitted
to do so. So we can conclude from that
that God is in full control. Full control. Let us close reading
Psalm 124. Turn if you would to Psalm 124
and we'll close with this. In light of our Lord reigneth. Our Lord reigneth. Psalm 124.
If it had not been the Lord who
was on our side now, may Israel say. If it had not been the Lord
who was on our side when men rose up against us, I think of
this for us. if it had not been for the Lord
who was on our side. When men rose up against us,
and men rise up against us, don't they? Sometimes it's our family,
sometimes it's our friends, sometimes it's co-workers, sometimes it's
people you don't even expect. That's usually what it is. Look
at this. Then had they swallowed us up
quick when the wrath was kindled against us. Then the waters had
overwhelmed us. The stream had gone over our
soul. Then the proud waters had gone
over our soul. Blessed be the Lord who has not
given us as a prey to their teeth. The Lord reigneth, beloved. He
watches over every single one of his sheep. Every single one
of them. Our soul that's escaped is a
bird of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken and we are
escaped. Now here is a verse for us to
burn into our hearts, beloved. Our help is in the name of the
Lord, who made heaven and earth. And his name is Jesus Christ,
our Lord. Our help is in the name of the
Lord, who made heaven and earth. Beloved, the Lord reigns, and
he is the help of his people. Gracious Heavenly Father, again
we thank thee for thy word. Oh, may we draw comfort, Lord,
from these precious scriptures which we've looked at tonight,
knowing that you reign, Lord, and that you are in full control.
And whether it be right down to our lives, little things that
happen in our lives and things that surprise us, Lord, they
never catch you by surprise. And as we looked at in Sunday
school, sometimes we go through fiery trials, sometimes we're
put in the furnace, Lord, but it's always to refine us. It's
always to refine us, just as gold is refined in the furnace.
But Lord, you are our help. You are our help, and we desperately,
desperately need your help every day. Every day, oh Lord. May
you be glorified and magnified through the preaching of this,
your word. And may you receive all the glory
and honor and praise in Jesus' name, amen. Okay, let's close in a song. Let's sing, There is a Fountain,
222, 222. Everybody stand up if you would,
222. He is risen from the dead, filled
with life and joy. He reigns over all who seek Him.
He reigns over all who seek Him. He reigns over all who seek Him.
He reigns over all who seek Him. ? He who's love revealed His grace
? ? He who saves those who need Him the most ? ? He who's love revealed
His grace ? ? Oh, good night, good night ? ? Rejoice, we sing of your mighty grace
? O'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming?