Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before ADONAI [the LORD] our Maker. Psalm 95:6, TLV

A Different Perspective.  Some scholars believe Psalm 95 is part of a series of psalms (93, 95-99) called “enthronement psalms.” Written around the Babylonian exile, the psalms were reminders that GOD was still in control. They are also reminders of some of the past sins of their ancestors during their hapless forty years in the wilderness—when they didn’t believe GOD was in control.

For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the flock of His hand. (vs. 7, TLV)

The imagery of being His flock is comforting. Even though they seemed to be in the wrong pasture — captivity, rather home in Israel — they were still under the care of ADONAI Ra’ah (The Shepherd LORD).

Some months ago, a friend and I discussed the “state of the union” these days — how alarming it was that our nation had digressed so far from Biblical principles. I wonder if the Jewish people in Babylon had similar conversations. But there were psalmists GOD imparted with insights and exhortations to remind the people that “we are still His sheep.”

Perhaps, rather than focus on how bad things are, let us exalt our Heavenly Father, the Great Shepherd GOD who is still in control.

Into perspective …

Because things haven’t changed since Israel’s captivity or persecutions or outright rebellion, have they? When we get overwhelmed with the darkness around us, our responses and behaviors and strategies will always be flawed. We can only see the now and what could happen. Our perspective will come from a carnal place of fear, anger, or frustration.

Instead, when we worship and bow down, and kneel before the LORD our Maker, we put everything into perspective. He is GOD. We are not. The world will go on doing its thing, but we will abide in shalom [peace]. And that’s a great perspective from which to live in this world.