Psalm 104:1-18; 2 Corinthians 2:1-3:6
In 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:24, we see a dark cloud emerging on the horizon of Judah. “After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah” (verse 1). Sometimes, in the Christian life, it seems that we try our best to serve the Lord with all our hearts, and then a dark cloud appears on our horizon, and it threatens our lives. What do we do? We notice Hezekiah’s response, which was both material and spiritual; he “consulted with his officials and military staff … and he encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of the flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles’” (verses 3-8). Why is it so difficult for us to remember Hezekiah’s encouragement – the very Word and promises of God – which literally applies to our own times of testing as well? Here we see the open-faced blasphemy of Sennacherib and his officers (verses 9-19), but “Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out in prayer to the LORD, and His angel annihilated the Assyrians” (verses 20-21). So we see here that “the LORD saved Hezekiah” (verse 22). Unfortunately, however, God’s provision of salvation was followed by Hezekiah’s pride and his subsequent downfall. This warning is a word aptly spoken – “pride goes before destruction” (cf., Proverbs 16:18). We need not belabor this point. In chapter 33, Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, follows him to the throne. After Ahab, Manasseh was probably the most wicked king of Israel and Judah combined – and the longest reigning – fifty-five years. Manasseh committed unspeakable acts of evil, followed by eleven years of further wicked rule by his son, Amon. The dark cloud on Judah’s horizon is looming, and it is not Sennacherib; it is God’s unstoppable wrath, and it’s coming ever closer.
Today we read the first of three parts from Psalm 104 – verses 1-18. This Psalm extolls the beauty of God’s creation. Here, God reveals that He “wraps Himself in garments” (verse 1). What are His garments? God is “clothed with splendor and majesty … He wraps Himself in light …” (verses 1-2). Psalm 93 also informs us that He “is armed with strength” (verse 1). These verses represent some of the most beautiful biblical descriptions of God’s character. In addition, the text later informs us that “He makes the clouds His chariot, and He rides on the wings of the wind” (verse 3). Such expressions capture our collective imaginations about God’s awesome power and glory, and they inspire our worship of Him Who so loves and cares for us – as described further in the following verses of the Psalm. He sets a boundary on “the waters; He makes springs pour water into the ravines; He satisfies the earth by the fruit of His work; and He gives residence to the birds, the wild goats, and the coneys” (verses 7-18). He is the Lord of all creation.
In 2 Corinthians 2:1-3:6, Paul admonishes the church at Corinth to forgive and comfort the sinner who committed the immoral acts – indicating that his “punishment was sufficient for him” and that he should not be “overwhelmed by excessive sorrow … I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him” (verses 5-8). As Christians, we need to be forgiving people – demonstrating our forgiveness of others not merely by our words – but by our works – our deeds and actions. Paul then moves on from this topic to describe his travels which were like a “triumphal procession” from Troas on to Macedonia (verse 14). He states that our lives should be a pleasing aroma – “spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” (verse 15). To some, we are the “fragrance of life,” but to others – “those who are perishing – we are the smell of death” (verse 15). In other words, Paul is saying that we ought to be concerned about the testimony that we leave behind, because the world that is watching us (cf., 3:3). We are to maintain a holy “confidence – that we have through Christ” (verse 4) – because “God has made us competent” to serve Him (verse 6). Our own competence is ineffective, but God’s competence working in us “gives life” (verse 6).
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