To Whom All Glory Belongs

Psalm 21

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.

2 For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested.      Interlude

3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.
You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.

4 He asked you to preserve his life,
and you granted his request.
The days of his life stretch on forever.

5 Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.

6 You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.

7 For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.

8 You will capture all your enemies.
Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you.

9 You will throw them in a flaming furnace
when you appear.
The Lord will consume them in his anger;
fire will devour them.

10 You will wipe their children from the face of the earth;
they will never have descendants.

11 Although they plot against you,
their evil schemes will never succeed.

12 For they will turn and run
when they see your arrows aimed at them.

13 Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

As long as there have been armies and weapons, nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Throughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust. David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship; not in firepower but in God's power. God alone can preserve a nation, or an individual — so our confidence must be in God. He alone gives eternal victory.

David was a good leader who knew his inherent skills and abilities, his gifts, were from God. God equips whomever He calls. We may think that we are weak in a skill or ability when God calls us to do His will, but God uses our 'weakness' for His kingdom and glory. We must trust in Him.

Because David trusts in God, God would not let him be shaken (removed from his throne). Our trusting in God provides stability. We may lose a great deal — families, jobs, material possessions-but we cannot be shaken from God's favor. He will be our strong tower, our firm foundation of solid rock. He will never leave or desert us.

It is hard for me -when I see people succeeding with evil acts. This Psalm reminds me - they will not succeed forever. Their power is temporary and fleeting - God's very presence will send them scattering in a moment. God, according to His plan and purpose, will intervene on our behalf and give the wicked the judgment they deserve.

The next time God gives us a victory over a battle with someone, something or even ourselves — praise Him as David did.  Dear Friend, may we never forget to Whom all glory honor and praise  belongs - Praise to our God forever and ever. Amen