New: 14 May 2025
Living to serve
God and His Kingdom
Psalm 102
This will be written for the generation
to come, that a people yet to be created
may praise the LORD...
When the peoples [nations] are gathered
together, and the kingdoms,
to serve the LORD.
Psalm 102:18, 22 NKJV
The Consummation of All Things
There are at least three main ways to look at history: chaotic (no purpose, all is random), cyclical (repeated cycles of events), and linear (a beginning and an end). Although our world, both past and present, looks very chaotic in many periods and places, there are many indications that our existence is not random without purpose. The harmony in how nature works and the fine-tuning of the universe are but two such main reasons. Believing that all things came into being by chance without any Intelligence behind is, is a great leap of faith. Some religious and philosophical thought promote the idea that history repeats itself in cycles. And again, there are indicators that this view has validity. People do repeat mistakes of previous generations, but we may ascribe this to a lack of learning from history. Even the wise Preacher concluded that 'there is nothing new under the sun' (Ecclesiastes 1). Yet this in the context of the vanity of empty pursuits and the repetition of mistakes by the folly of men. The biblical worldview advocates for a linear view of history: there is a beginning and an end, there is a Creator and Life-giver, who as Law-giver will also hold us accountable as Judge over all flesh. There will be a consummation of all things. The predominate and incarnate Logos of creation will one day consummate all things in Himself (Ephesians 1:15-23; Colossians 1:15-20). One day, death will be swallowed up in life (1 Corinthians 15). There will be a time when all the kingdoms of the earth will be subject to the God of Creation and King of the universe (Revelation 11:15) and all nations will serve the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 14:16-20). There will be a consummation of all things when evil will be defeated and righteousness will reign.
The psalmist, too, wrote of such a time: a generation who will praise the Lord who will down to earth to hear the groaning of the prisoners and release those appointed to death (Psalm 102:18-20). The purpose pf God's work of salvation and consummation will be for His people to declare His Name when all the nations and kingdoms will be gathered to Him to serve God and His kingdom (vv 21-22). This will be the consummation of all things at the end of history as we know and the beginning of eternity as planned by God, Lord over all flesh. We can be part of that generation and people who will praise His Name, declares His works and serve God and His kingdom. Everyone who calls on the Name of Yahweh can be saved and be part of God's people before 'the great and awesome day of the LORD's Return (Acts 2:19-21). The Saviour came to shed His blood for save those who believe in Him and the Lord will return to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). He is the One who sits at the right hand of God and awaits the time when all His enemies are made His footstool as He rules in the midst of His enemies and will reign over all evil to establish righteousness (Psalm 110). A glorious future awaits those who are part of God's people.
From Pain to Favour
The psalmist, looking forward to this glorious time, lived in pain and difficulties. The reality of life is such that we can't always escape suffering. Rather, we need to learn to handle it right and seek ways to serve God and His Kingdom as we eagerly await the time of consummation when the pain will be over and favour will be a reality. The psalmist asked God to hear his prayer in a time of trouble and for God to answer speedily (Psalm 102:1-2). His days were tough, his heart was stricken with pain and his body was in groaning (vv 3-5). He felt out of place (vv 6-7). And, to add insult to injury, his enemies were reproaching him all day long planning evil against him (v 8). His drink was mingled with tears as he felt cast away by God (vv 9-10). His days were but a shadow, withering away like the grass (v 11). What are we to do in such, seemingly, hopeless situations?
But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name
to all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion;
For the time to favour her,
yes, the set time, has come.
Psalm 102:12-13
The Set Time of His Favour
Evil won't triumph indefinitely. Suffering will come to an end. Better days are ahead. The psalmist turned his attention away from His pain to God's favour. He proclaimed that God will endure forever, His Name to all generations (Psalm 102:12). God will have mercy on His people and their habitation (Zion) and the set time for His favour had come (v 13). We can take comfort in the fact that God has the power to turn things around and show favour when all things look hopeless and meaningless, when evil triumphs and lies prevail. God will arise and show mercy and His power on behalf of His people. Those who care for God's purpose will be blessed (v 14) and the nations the their rulers will fear the Lord (v 15). God will bring restoration to what was broken down and destroyed by the enemy and He will hear the prayer of the destitute (vv 16-17).
The psalmist looked ahead to a time of the fulfilment of God's purpose: to release prisoners and save those condemned to death so that His people will declare His Name and that all nations will serve God and His kingdom (vv 18-22). There will be consummation of all things when evil be defeated and righteousness will reign. We shall live to see better days, glorious days (vv 23-24). The God who laid the foundation of the earth and created the heavens with His hands, will endure forever. Frail humankind will decay and perish, yet God remains the same. He is the everlasting One, His years have no end (vv 25-27). He is eternal. He was and is and is to come, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (Revelation 1:8, 17). Those who were washed by His blood will live with Him forever (vv 4-7). God's people, created to praise Yahweh (Psalm 102:18) will be established before God whom they serve (v 28). When the Lamb sits as King on the throne over a recreated world after the consummation of all things, His servants shall serve Him in a the glorious New Heaven (Revelation (22:1-3) and see His face in a place of eternal light (vv 4-5).