The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder Lasser Bradley Jr. Please get Thousand tongues to see my great redeem. It must Bye. The glories of my government. The triumphs of his This is Leser Bradley Jr.
inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. I'm glad you're with us to day and you'll be hearing the second part of the message of Call to Worship. And certainly we need to be giving great attention to worshiping the Lord our God, and giving Him the praise that is due His name. I hope you will take time to write and let us know that you have listened, Our address is Baptist Bible Hour, Box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio, four five two one seven. And I encourage you to go to our website at BaptistBibleHour.org.
There you can make a donation. You can also hear both the daily and Sunday broadcasts and be able to read the Baptist Witness. And then the second. Part of this Twenty-ninth Sham. Speaks of the voice of his power.
Verse 3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. The God of glory thundereth. The Lord is upon many waters. The voice of his power.
Think of it. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. He spoke and it was done. He said, let there be light, and there was light. Six times the expression is used in that first chapter of the book of Genesis, and it was so.
There was no delay. Wasn't necessary to be strung out over a period of extended years. It was a 24-hour day in which these things were accomplished. He spoke and it's done.
Now, he begins to give us a description here of what happens as God speaks. And it may seem a little strange when you first look at it. Say, what's this all about, anyway? Itchy. Presenting a picture for us that we can get a little better insight.
As to how involved God is. In this Universe.
Now some would suggest that God did in fact create it in the beginning and then stepped aside and let Mother Nature handle it from there out. I want to tell you that God is still on the throne. It is God. According to the psalmist, who sends the rain, sends the wind, sends the frost, sends the snow. He's still controlling it.
Still, his purpose as he accomplishes these various things.
Well, notice then the description that's here given. The voice of the Lord is upon many waters. Verse 4, the voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full of majesty, the voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars, yea, he breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
So, first we notice he breaketh the cedars. What's this talking about?
Well, he's talking about thundering, he's talking about a storm, talking about a great storm that would come across the land. The cedars of Lebanon were extremely tall, strong. Trees that one would look at and assume they can withstand any storm. But he says that he breaks them. He breaks them down.
None can stand before his great wind. When God sends a storm, it is powerful. He breaks the cedars. Verse six says, He maketh them, talking about Lebanon. Talking about the mountains where these cedars grow, he maketh them also to skip like a calf.
If God sends an earthquake... or a volcano or some great upheaval upon this earth, he can cause even the mountains to move. We would stand in awe at their beauty. And say, surely they shall stand no matter what, but God is able to move them. Then it tells us that he divides, his voice divideth the flame of fire.
Even as sometimes when the lightning crosses the heavens and there is a terrible strike upon this earth, you can see how. Powerful. is that evidence of God's work. even dividing the flames of fire. And the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness.
In the forgotten and isolated places of the earth, yet God speaks and accomplishes his purposes. It causes the hinds to calve. These young oxen giving birth would hear the noise of the thunder and it would bring about the delivery of the calf. Very readily. They were known as a very skittish type of animal, anyway, and so being frightened by the storm.
Again, just revealing the awesome power of God in all things. And then it says, He discovereth the The forest. That is he makes them bare.
Now the first thing we understand that is talking about something that's real, talking about what God is able to do in nature, talking about what we may have witnessed ourselves as far as the demonstration of God's power. But no doubt There is a spiritual application to be made of it as well. The voice of the Lord is powerful. In grace. In the book of Ezekiel chapter 17, verse 24.
It says that he will bring down the high tree. and dry up the green tree.
Now, I know he was talking in that instance about what he was doing concerning some of those that had held his people in captivity and bringing down the mighty of this earth, and there's much evidence that he's done that. Not only has he broken down the tall cedars of Lebanon, not only has he brought what appeared to be chaos sometimes upon this earth itself, But think of those tall cedars as they were, Men like Pharaoh, who said, Who is the Lord that I should obey him? Or Nebuchadnezzar that says, This is my kingdom that I've gotten by my might and for my glory. What happened? God destroyed Pharaoh's kingdom, left him devastated.
What happened to Nebuchadnezzar? He's put down on his all fours, made to eat grass like the oxen of the field. Many biblical examples of how God has brought down the mighty from their seats. And that's exactly what it says in Luke chapter 1, verses 51 and 52, that He brings down the mighty from their seats. And I want to tell you, that's exactly what He does by His grace.
Because every one of us in our human nature are full of pride. Every one of us. would resist. Hearing God's Word, doing God's will. Isaiah chapter 53 says, we've turned everyone to his own way.
Now your way might differ a little from his way. There are certain things that appeal to you that don't appeal to somebody else, but it's nevertheless your way. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Sometimes in pride, an individual We'll say I'd never Believe the Bible? I'd never become a follower of Jesus. But I want to tell you there is no tree so high. No rebel.
So strong. No heart so hardened but what God is able to bring down the mighty from their seats and break that proud heart and humble that individual to a place that now he says, I am a sinner and he comes like the publican. God be merciful to me. I need mercy. I need mercy.
As God So worked in your life. Oh, maybe you'd never made any public declarations of how you were determined to go your own way. You'd never spoken against God or His Word. But the same sinful nature was in you nevertheless. The Pharisees were morally upright, but they were self-willed.
They weren't bowing humbly before God. God is able. to bring down the mighty from their seats. And just like he is able to make the mountain skip. He's able to move the mighty mountains that would be obstacles in the path of what he would design to accomplish.
Amos chapter 9 verse 13 says that all the hills shall melt. Talking in figurative language about what he was going to do when he restored his people and brought them back from days of suffering. They would flow down with new wine. There would be a time of refreshing, a time of restoration, and all the hills shall melt, indicating that those mountains of impossibility that stood before them would be moved out of the way. Aren't you glad to believe in a God like that?
I'm telling you about a God who works his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say unto him, what doest thou? I'm telling you that God can take that mountain that seemed it could never be moved in your old life. You may be looking at situations this morning and say, how can I possibly go on? How can I encounter this difficulty? God may give you the grace to bear the burden that's pressing down or it may be his pleasure to remove it.
But the fact is, God is able. It says then that just as he divides the light, God pierces the heart. divides the hard and stony heart. Let's look at the book of Hebrews, chapter 4. Verse 12, For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Sometimes, as I've traveled around the country and preaching God's word, I've actually had people come to me after a service and say, I want to know who told you about me. And some of them were very serious about it. They were just sure that somebody had consulted with me before the service and told me the details of their life and I'd got up and addressed those things at the pulpit. In many cases, I didn't even know the name of the person. I knew nothing about them.
I'd never seen them before, never heard anything about them. But you know what? made them feel like I've been exposed. That message is for me because I preached the word of God and the Holy Spirit applied it and made them feel. I'm convicted.
I've been exposed. I'm guilty. It's the discerner of the intents of the heart. And you know, sometimes that may be a painful experience, but I want to tell you: when the Word of God has that impact on you, you can give thanks for it. Say, Lord, I'm thankful that you love me enough to send your word and tear me apart.
Convict me, show me my error and my sin. It divides. It divides the sinner from his sin. Not only did the Lord come to redeem his people from the curse and consequence of sin, but from the power of it. And so it divides.
person that has been married to his own idols. consumed with his own sin, slave to his own lusts.
Now There's a Another direction that he goes. separates him from his friends. The book of 1 Peter, chapter 4, and verse 4, talks about the fact that those that were your. Friends and acquaintances before God worked in your life now wonder what's the problem? Why is it you don't run with us anymore?
Why is it you don't go to the same places? Why is it you don't use the same language? Why is it you don't have the same interest in the same hobbies? They don't understand that. Why?
Because there's been a division. And sometimes that division not only affects Friends. It affects families. Doesn't mean because there's a difference of opinion. that a marriage ought to end.
But it does mean that even within that marriage, because you're determined to honor God. There is a separate path that's being pursued. as far as what you embrace. as far as your desire to please and honor God. And then Talks about Reaching the wilderness.
reaches those that are wandering. You may at times have um So now I got to get away from all of this. There was a sense that God was dealing with you and convicting of your sin, and you wanted to drown out that voice. You didn't want to hear it. Yeah.
Got more active in your business, at your job, you decide maybe I can make more money, and that'll satisfy me. Maybe I can take more trips and that'll satisfy me. Spend more time at this hobby and that, but It all proves to be empty. You know why? Because God's going to follow you right out into the wilderness.
He found Jacob in the waste-howling wilderness, led him about, instructed him, made him the apple of his eye. The Lord found him, not because the Lord had to go looking for him. I wonder where Jacob is. He knew right where he was, but that's where Jacob was when he got to him. He was in the wilderness.
And you made it a day. Be charting your course in the wilderness of this world, but God knows your whereabouts. He knows the path that you have charted. He knows what your intentions are. He's able to visit you there.
Just as he discovereth The forest. He's able to Strip. That proud sinner. of all of his boasted self-righteousness. If you've boasted sometimes, well, I'm not as bad as some people.
You picked out two or three individuals here.
Well, one thing about it, I'm sure better than they are. Let me tell you, by the standard of God, if you have violated one of His laws, you're guilty of the whole thing. You have no righteousness to plead. If he has shown you how to do it. How bare and empty you are, you understand the need of His amazing grace.
And by his powerful voice, He draws men to him. Oh, that's wonderful to know. How would it feel? Helpless and hopeless. As I stand before you today, if I felt like it was going to be by my voice.
that men would be brought to God. I say, how can I persuade anybody to give up their idols? How can I convince anybody that this is the path they ought to take? Happy day. Be articulate enough to get across what I might think about and feel in my own heart.
How can I say it effectively? But I know that one who is dead in trespasses and in sin will not respond. Jesus said, You will not come unto me that you might have life. But I'm here to tell you about a voice that's stronger than the voice of any man. I'm telling you about the voice that when it speaks That which was purposed and intended comes to pass.
John chapter 5, verse 24, Jesus says, Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath. Everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. We know that'll happen when he comes back. at the time of the resurrection, but he's talking about it's happening now.
Those who are dead in trespasses and in sin hear the voice of the Son of God, not an audible voice, but he speaks to them and he draws them to himself. And so he says, the one that hears my word, that's the evidence here, that you hear it, that you believe on him, and therefore have everlasting life, not coming into condemnation, but a pass from death unto life.
Furthermore, the psalmist tells us that his voice is not only a voice of power, It is a majestic voice. Majestic. Think about Some of the majestic scenes upon this earth that God created. You look out over some beautiful mountains. And just say I stand in awe.
at the beauty of God's handiwork. Or if you stand at the oceanside. And look out at the perpetual movement. of that great body of water. Cheap.
How amazing it is. It's majestic. Man can't control it. God. rules in the waters of the sea.
How amazing. His voice. is majestic. Just as the sea is beyond man's control and the lightning is something that man cannot control, God's voice, His majestic voice, is something that accomplishes that which He intended. He speaks and it's done.
God's not frustrated. He's not disappointed. He's not handicapped. He's working his will. Aren't you going to have to believe in a God like that?
How fearful it must be for those who say, well, my God's trying. But sometimes he strikes out. There are things he'd like to do, but he just can't get it done. No, this God. that we're preaching about today.
is the God of the Bible. The God that has all All power. a majestic voice, often compared to the thunder. Several places. That we might go to if time allowed, just to show in Scripture where even as it was at Mount Sinai.
That The people said they could not bear to hear the voice of God anymore, and there was thunder and lightning at that dreadful time. And then Psalm 77 verse 18, it says, The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven. The lightnings lightened the world. The earth trembled and shook. And in John chapter 12, verses 28 to 30, when God spoke from heaven, the people said it thundered.
That's what it sounded like to them. When God spoke, they said, It has thundered. as they Majestic Voice of God speaks. It is a power, it is a voice beyond what we can comprehend and one that man cannot limit or control.
Furthermore, it's the voice of truth.
Sometimes God has spoken directly to individuals. You remember the Old Testament times when Samuel was just a boy? In the temple. The Lord spoke to him, Samuel, three different times. He called his name, spoke to him directly.
God speaking to this young man. God spoke directly to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? There are times that God has spoken by angels, an appearance of an angel that brought a message from heaven. He has sometimes spoken through dreams and visions.
He has often spoken through men, his prophets, the apostles, ministers of the gospel. Certainly he spoke through his son, Jesus Christ, who is described as the word, the living word of God. And he speaks to us today through his written word, the Bible. God speaks to us, and it's always the voice of truth. When God speaks, you can count on it.
It's impossible. God cannot lie. He's a holy God. He's a perfect God.
So what he says is the truth. That's the reason Jesus prayed in John 17:17, sanctify them through thy word. Thy word is truth.
Now many today would say there is no absolute truth. Truth can be negotiated. Truth can be altered. a matter of opinion what works for me may not work for you But I want you to know that God who is unchanging. also has established truth which is unchanging.
And His word is reliable. When God speaks, therefore it is the word of truth. It is also a commanding voice. In the book of Jeremiah chapter 7, verses 1 to 5. Jeremiah the prophet says, The word of the Lord came unto me, and what's he doing?
He's calling upon the people to obey, to command them to honor God, to serve him as They ought. Then let's look at Matthew chapter 7. At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Notice what is said about Jesus. Matthew chapter 7 verse 28 And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. A commanding voice.
Jesus. Didn't come before the people and say, Well, I've got a few thoughts I'd like for you to consider. And if it doesn't inconvenience you, maybe you might want to implement it at some time. When Jesus spoke the truth, He commanded, This is what I am declaring, and this is what you ought to do. It's a commanding voice.
Jesus says, take up your cross and follow me. Have you heeded that command? And he listened. to his word Command you to follow him. to be baptized.
to sit at his table. Do you hear his command?
Furthermore, it is a comforting volus. Jeremiah chapter 3 verse 22 He's talking to a people who have backslidden. wandered. And you know what Satan would like to have you believe if that's so in your case? to convince you that you've wandered so far there's no hope.
There's no way that God would take you if you tried to return. But you know what he said to this backslidden people? Return Return. Return. What wonderful words.
Come back. And then the precious words of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 11, verses 28 to 30, Come, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Don't you love that word? I came to your house and knocked on the door.
And you opened it a crack and peeked at me. but didn't say anything. I sure wouldn't feel welcome. But if you open the door and say, come in. That's good news.
What an inviting word. Come on. Yeah. Well, here's Jesus saying, come unto me. You're weary, you're heavy laden, you're burdened down because you've been trying to make things right by the keeping of the law, and you've miserably failed.
You're heavy laden, come under me. Aye. We'll give you rest. And then the final part of this psalm is the blessing on his people. He tells us in the tenth verse of Psalm 29, The Lord sitteth upon the flood, yea, the Lord sitteth king forever.
There have been Many kings rise to power. throughout history.
Some have stayed there for just a few days.
Some have stayed there for many years. But their term finally ends. The king finally is defeated. or death comes and he reigns no more. But concerning our king.
The Lord should king forever. He's king today. He'll be king. When you come to die. That's good to know, isn't it?
The day that you die, he's still king, he's still on the throne. And he'll still be king forever and ever. No end to his reign.
So, because of that, verse 9 says that as this great storm described, the power of God, the voice of the Lord speaking, when it's passed, The people in the temple, everyone are speaking of his glory. When you understand something of the greatness of God, When you understand that he is king forever. The response of your heart should be glory. Glory be to his name. I want to praise him because of his greatness, because of the marvels of his grace.
The people in the temple are saying glory. And then two things. He gives strength to his people. Yes. God is able to shake the wilderness.
God is able to shake your life to the point that you come to understand I'm weak and I need help. But when you're at that point, He giveth power to the faint and to those that have no might, He renews their strength, according to Isaiah 40, verses 29 to 30. And the last thing He says is, He will bless His people with peace. Bless them with peace. John 16, 33, he says, In the world ye shall have tribulation.
But in me ye shall have peace. The storm may be raging. The lightning may be flashing, the thunder rolling. The difficulties seem overwhelming at the moment. But God We'll give you peace On the inside.
When you trust him.
Sometimes then He blesses us.
Solve it. The wind cease. And the storm is over. And there's a great calm. You remember when the disciples were on the ship at sea?
The waves were tossing the little boat about, and they were fearful, but Jesus said, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased to blow. and the waves ceased to toss the ship about. And there was a great column. That's a blessing, isn't it?
When the Lord brings us to those special times in our life. or there's a calmness of soul. Blesses us when there's a peace even of circumstances.
Now, somebody might say, Preacher, it's been a long time since I've had one of those days. But even if he doesn't give you peace of circumstances, the peace of heart. is something precious. You can have peace even when you stare death in the face. Because you know that your hope is not in what you've done, but what Jesus Christ has done for you.
and you're trusting his marvelous, wonderful, sovereign saving grace. A call to worship. As we've looked at the sound, I trust then that We can give thought today. to the praise The power and the people that are here described. Showing.
Oh, joyful we are, joy be God. Our glory, Lord above, our sun ball like hearts before thee, hail thee as a sun. How wonderful to read in this 29th Psalm that our king reigns forever. It's not a temporary position. But he reigns because he is the sovereign.
The people then shout for joy when they hear it, and he promises to give strength to them. And so as we have a great sense of our own weakness and need, May we turn to the God of heaven who has promised. to give us the strength and help that is so necessary. If you would like information about obtaining this message or others in our series from the Psalms, Just write for that information this week. Till next week at this same time, may the Lord richly bless you all.
Rejoice. Yeah. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder Lessere Bradley Jr. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217.
Forgiving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed, wellspring of love. Oh my god. A waving ocean, death of hell. Happy rest. No.
The Father rise around. Oh Who live in love or mind teach us how to love? Each of them leads us to the joy. Oh, I see.
