1) The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
Psalm 24 is a stirring and beautiful song of joy that celebrates God as the King of Glory.
It was written by David and was most likely sung in conjunction with the sacred dance that accompanied David’s processional after the ark of the covenant was returned to Jerusalem (the city of David) from the hands of the Philistines in the time of Eli. (2 Sam. 6:12)
Thus, it is a processional song. A procession is a march used in a ceremony. One of the most common people experience today are wedding marches, when the bride’s family goes down the alter, and in graduation or commencement ceremonies.
“When we wake and lie down. When we stop and when we go, we must remind ourselves and others that God is over all.”It is important to note the placement of the phrase “The earth is the Lord’s.” It’s at the beginning of the Psalm.
The first thing declared is a reminder to all that God is creator, founder, maintainer and sustainer of the world.
God’s glory and kingship must always come first in our lives, and be top of mind. When we wake and lie down. When we stop and when we go, we must remind ourselves and others that God is over all.
Make no mistake, the earth is the Lord’s. The word Lord here means Jehovah or “the existing One.” The world was God’s when he formed it out of nothing by his word. (Heb. 11:3)
The worlds of the Old and New Testaments were his. Our world today is his and the new Earth will be his. (Rev. 21:1)
Moreover, he is not merely God over some of the earth. He is God over all the world. Over the “fulness” or entirety of it.
He is over you. Whether you are a believer in him and he is your father, or if you are lost he still has the final say over your life.“Reminding ourselves of God’s rightful place as king of the earth gives us the proper perspective on life.”
Yet, it is easy to forget this in a fallen world. It is so easy to be distracted by events, disasters, sickness and our own affairs that we forget who it is we owe all to and who it is that is overseeing all.
Reminding ourselves of God’s rightful place as king of the earth gives us the proper perspective on life. (Ps. 47:7) It gets us looking beyond the here and now to eternity.
It affords us the proper mindset when struggles arise, and shows us that there is more to life. It teaches us that trials are merely momentary. (2 Cor. 4:17-18)
It lets us lead lives that communicate to others that there is a bigger plan at work. When the world runs scared, we can remain calm.
Don’t believe the devil’s lie that sin is of God. God is just, and he permits sin. His creatures have free will, but he is not the author of sin.
Nevertheless, sin alienates us from God. It makes him seem and feel unapproachable, like he isn’t even there. But sin’s power of deception cannot be further from the truth.
There is nowhere we can go where he isn’t. (Ps. 139:7) Additionally, just as all of the earth is his, all of its hand-crafted wonders are reminders of his care for us, and of his meticulous attention to detail.“God’s creative love, precise and artful skill, handiwork and creative energy are no more evident and present than in each man and woman on his earth.”
Weather patterns and seasons remind us of his sustaining power. Animals and plants remind us that he is our provider. Natural wonders place us in awe of him, and let us bask in his glory.
Everything in creation is stamped with God’s divine autograph and signature, including you. Notice “they that dwell therein” are also the Lord’s.
God’s creative love, precise and artful skill, handiwork and creative energy are no more evident and present than in each man and woman on his earth.
What a marvel it is to be fashioned and designed by God! And yet, all are born into sin and apart from God until they accept him by faith. (Ps. 51:5, Rom. 10:9-10)
Yet, God not only created you. God also bought you with a price. (1 Cor. 6:20) He died for you so you could be redeemed back to him. He will redeem you back to him if you merely accept it.
May we remind ourselves each and every day that we are God’s handiwork and that he is Lord of all the earth.
May that fact compel those who do not believe in God and who have not trusted in him to do so, and may it calm the hearts of those who know him as savior.
Soli Deo gloria!
To read more devotionals like this one on the Lord of the Earth, subscribe to our email list.