Bible Readings for July 18 – II Kings 18; II Chronicles 29-31; Psalm 48

Lately, it seems that the Church has faced lots of opposition, but that is nothing new in the history of God’s people. Perhaps recalling the Assyrians’ invasion of Judah, Psalm 48: 4 mentions that many times, kings assembled themselves to fight against Jerusalem, but in verse 5 also recalls that they fled in alarm. As we have seen so many times in Scripture and throughout the rest of the world’s history, no human political force has ever been a match for God’s power.

But the Church should be no more impressed by human wealth than by human power. Psalm 48:7 describes the ships of Tarshish, one of the leading commercial cities in the Ancient world. But no matter how numerous they were or how precious was their cargo, the winds still determined the destination of those ships, and could easily overpower them.

And God is still more powerful than the wealthiest of our modern merchants. All of Jeff Bezos’ billions can’t get his packages from Amazon delivered on time when COVID-19 has disrupted supply chains around the world.

Yes, God still blesses His Church, the Body of Christ, in the same way that He blessed Jerusalem, the place where His Old Testament Temple was located. In Psalm 48:12-13, the Psalmists marveled at the strength of the city’s towers and ramparts, and verse 3 reminds us that God is still the stronghold of His people, no matter where we may live. Verse 8 reassures us that God has established His Church forever.

But the greatest reason for our reassurance is found not in the Church, but in God Himself. And why is that? Because our God is righteous (Psalm 48:10) – He always does what will further His glory and our good. Our God always renders just judgments (Psalm 48:11) – He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked. Most of all, our God is a God of lovingkindness (Psalm 48:9) – a God of faithful, covenant-keeping love for His people. He is a God we can always depend on, in every way.

So today, no matter what happens, no matter what opposition we may face, let us join the psalmists and all God’s people as we sing God’s praise (Psalm 48:1), even to the ends of the earth (Psalm 48:10).

Psalm 48 (NASB)

A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah .
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King.
3 God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold.
4 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.
5 They saw it, then they were amazed; They were terrified, they fled in alarm.
6 Panic seized them there, Anguish, as of a woman in childbirth.
7 With the east wind Thou dost break the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish her forever. Selah.
9 We have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of Thy temple.
10 As is Thy name, O God, So is Thy praise to the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of Thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go around her; Count her towers;
13 Consider her ramparts; Go through her palaces; That you may tell it to the next generation.
14 For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.