Psalm 96:9  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

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Romancing the Stone starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas was a hit movie in 1984. It was followed up in 1985 by The Jewel of the Nile. This sequel featured an ambitious (and murderous) leader in the Arab world who hires Kathleen Turner’s character, romance novelist Joan Wilder, to write a fawning story about him to help him in his ascent to power. 

At the movie’s climax, this potentate pretending to be powerful, makes a dramatic speech in a dramatic setting with disastrous results. Interestingly, his speech was actually movie titles of Michael Douglas’s dad’s films spoken in Arabic. 

Puny Potentates
World leaders, along with puny potentates exercising powerful pretense, love settings enhancing their egos as they pontificate before peons. (Pardon me while I stifle a yawn.) 

Contrast this with what happens when we see God for who he is in all his splendor and majesty. We tremble with delight and cannot help but sing hallelujahs. 

One of my favorite worship songs from a couple of decades ago by the group Delirious helps us turn toward our risen Savior with joyful singing. A quick YouTube search will lead you to the original band performing their song alongside others like Hillsong, Bethel, and this version by Matt Redman: [https://bit.ly/3CWEaYn].

When I read Psalm 96, I remember these lyrics:

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ, the risen One?

Open up the doors (Open up the doors)
And let the music play (Let the music play)
Let the streets resound with singing
(We’re singing about the wonderful Savior)
Songs that bring Your hope (Songs that bring Your hope)
Songs that bring Your joy (Songs that bring Your joy)
Dancers who dance upon injustice

God Rules
If we sang more hallelujahs, we would stress less about puny politicians. Politicians gonna politic. God rules uncontested now and forever. The end of all matters belongs to him and him alone. We can confidently entrust our unknown futures to our Father in heaven who is already there and holds us safely and securely in his loving hands. 

Raging politicians may make people tremble. God makes mountains tremble, oceans roar, and his children sing. Politicians tell us to fear the opposing candidate and party. God tells us to revere him and fear nothing else. Perhaps his message to us today is the same as it has been every other day of every other era and age since the beginning of time. 

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;
Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
(Proverbs 3:5, 6 The Message)

Our Father, you rule. You reign. You alone, now and forever, are in charge. Exercise your dominion in us. Empower us to live fearlessly as we join you in extending your kingdom rule and reign to hearts and minds who need to know and experience you for who you really are. Thank you for songs to sing filled with joyful hope. Amen. 

Written by: Martin Smith, CO-WRITER UNKNOWN, MARTIN PETER SMITH
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind