{"id":334,"date":"2010-06-30T19:07:42","date_gmt":"2010-06-30T12:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/svm2.net\/abandonedtimes\/?p=334"},"modified":"2010-06-30T19:07:42","modified_gmt":"2010-06-30T12:07:42","slug":"the-message-bearers-mandate-the-motivation-part-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalmmi.net\/the-message-bearers-mandate-the-motivation-part-5","title":{"rendered":"The Message Bearer’s Mandate: The Motivation – Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Russ Mitchell<\/strong>
\n
\nRuss is the field director for One Challenge (OC International) in Romania – www.oci.ro.<\/em><\/p>\n

As we have been looking at Psalm 96, we have made two astounding \u201cdiscoveries\u201d thus far. We observed that all peoples from every nation are called to worship God and those who know God are called to make him known to those peoples who have not yet heard.<\/p>\n

These two calls form the basis of the message bearer\u2019s mandate. To me this is astounding \u2013 that in the Old Testament there is such a strong mandate for God\u2019s people to declare his greatness among the peoples.<\/p>\n

Yet it is our nature, especially when confronted with such a great vision, to ask the question, why? Why should the peoples worship God? Why should we make an effort to take God\u2019s message to them?<\/p>\n

The psalmist seems to anticipate these very questions for in verses 4-6, he presents numerous reasons why the peoples should worship God, reasons which also pertain to the message bearer\u2019s motivation.<\/p>\n

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
\nFor all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
\nSplendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
\nPsalm 96:4-6 NIV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note that these verses begin with the word \u201cfor,\u201d which alerts us to the reasons for what was commanded in verses 1-3. Here is the first reason: \u201cFor great is the LORD and most worthy of praise.\u201d Why should the peoples worship the Lord? Simply put, because he is great and truly merits the praise of all peoples. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Next the psalmist adds, \u201cHe is to be feared above all gods.\u201d Some will ponder, why should the Lord be feared above all gods?<\/p>\n

Again the psalmist anticipates our question with the second couplet: \u201cFor all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.\u201d (Note again the repetition of the word \u201cfor\u201d \u2013 a word which introduces the reason for what was just said.)<\/p>\n

This couplet sets up the contrast between the Lord and the gods which the peoples worship. The psalmist points out that they are \u201cidols.\u201d There are many words are used in the Old Testament for idols. This particular word literally means \u201csomething worthless.\u201d Its root meaning is \u201cto be weak, deficient.”<\/p>\n

To paraphrase, the psalmist is saying \u201call the gods of the peoples are worthless weaklings.\u201d So here are two striking contrasts<\/strong> between the gods whom the peoples worship and the Lord.<\/p>\n

The gods of the peoples are worthless, but the Lord is worthy of praise.<\/p>\n

The gods of the peoples are weaklings, but the Lord made the heavens, which shows his limitless power and wisdom.<\/p>\n

Thus the psalmist asserts the absolute superiority of the Lord over the \u201cgods.\u201d He alone truly merits the worship of the peoples.<\/p>\n

The final couplet rounds out the psalmist\u2019s argument. \u201cSplendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and glory are in His sanctuary.\u201d Here the character of the Lord is highlighted, providing further reasons for the peoples to worship the Lord. Because of his excellent greatness, he alone truly merits the worship of the peoples.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although we have been looking at the reasons why the peoples should worship the Lord, the psalmist uses the same reasons to explain why we should take the message about God to the peoples.<\/p>\n

Message bearers have discovered the greatness and saving power of the Lord. Enthralled by his excellent greatness, message bearers are motivated by the desire to see God worshipped by the nations and realize that they, having come to know God, are responsible to make his greatness known to all peoples.<\/p>\n

It is interesting what reasons are not given to support the mandate to tell the peoples about the true God.<\/p>\n