In an age of war, moral collapse, and political uncertainty, Psalm 75 shines as a beacon of truth. It reminds us that behind all human affairs stands the sovereign hand of God.

For promotion cometh neither from the east,
nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge:
he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Psalm 75:6-7

1: KEY QUESTIONS

Who is Really in Charge of the World?

A number of years ago I did a study on this Psalm for radio as part of an evangelistic series of short studies on the entire Book of Psalms. I made mention of some of the powerful and influential people on earth at that time, who were on the news every day. Barak Obama, Angela Merkel and David Cameron featured on that list. They are unheard of today. Their ideas and opinions are of little consequence. How quickly and definitely the powerful fall. They are overtaken by events, their popularity fades or time simply eats them away. Vladimir Putin found his way into that list I made all those years ago. He’s somewhat unique as his keys to the corridors of power have been grasped longer than most. But his day too will end.

This Psalm is a good study for the world in which we find ourselves. It seems to me that the Russia – Ukraine War, the Israeli – Palestinian Conflict, the ambitions of Iran to build a nuclear weapon with the recent interventions of Israel and the USA and the competition between USA and China for economic supremacy have produced a cocktail of events which could potentially change every one of our lives.

There is not only upheaval among the nations but there are also divisions and hatred within the democratic nations of the west which are unprecedented post World War Two. Much of this is due to rising levels of immigration. Islam is the fastest growing religion in absolute numbers in the UK and could reach 20% of the population by the end of the century. Increasing polarisation is a new feature of life in the West, leading to a weakening of our national identity.

In the midst of all of this uncertainty who is in charge?

Is it the media as it shapes stories and presents news from an angle which suits one narrative? This too has been a problem, hence the rising number of alternative news outlets and a lack of trust in what we see and hear.

Is it the voter and the ballet box which determines the future of the world? This is only the case if the playing field is equal and if the voter gets all the information they need. In the final analysis the voter as well as the politician is flawed by sin and neither can be absolutely trusted. Corrupt Governments are produced by corrupt people.

Are conspirators pulling the real levers of power? Theories abound as to the role of shady groups of well connected rich and powerful people who are manipulating and conspiring to mould the world after their own image. Some choose to believe and become obsessed with these ideas.

Are we simply caught in a downward spiral, a maelstrom of corruption and decay as the world hurtles towards disaster?

It would be easy to draw any of these conclusions but we must pause and consider the great arbiter of world affairs. God is the judge, putting down one and setting up another. There is a purpose in history. God is unfolding His plan as the world is being drawn towards the judgement day. Ultimately – even if human conspiracies exist God reigns supremely above all.

Daniel, having witnessed the heartbreaking collapse of a civilisation, in being as a slave in Babylon – clearly understood this: “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21).

This Psalm also teaches this truth wonderfully giving us an anchor in troubled times.

Putin, Trump, Starmer, Macron, Xi, Modi and Netanyahu will disappear from off the stage of history but God will continue to reign and rule and execute His plan.

2: KEY MOMENTS IN THE PSALM

This is a Psalm of praise because in every situation God is in control.

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks:
for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

(Psalm 75:1)

God’s governance of the world is conducted with respect to His people. He will move the pillars of the earth for the benefit of His Church

When I shall receive the congregation
I will judge uprightly.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved:
I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.

(Psalm 75:2-3)

I am praying that through this upheaval in Iran, a new regime will emerge which will grant the growing and persecuted Church freedom.

God in His governance judges the proud rulers who defy His law.

I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly:
and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
Lift not up your horn on high:
speak not with a stiff neck.

(Psalm 75:4-5)

The horn represents strength. In the western world we are witnessing Parliaments using their strength against God.

As a consequence of decisions passed last week in the House of Commons Britain is becoming an unsafe place. Unsafe for the unborn who are at great risk up to the point of birth because of effective decriminalisation. Unsafe for the sick, vulnerable, elderly and disabled because of the Assisted Suicide bill. This is the result of liberalism and the forgetting of God. Moral values forsaken, cruelty and selfish interest replaced Christian virtue. It all ends in disaster and chaos.

The tragic week which unfolded just a few days ago in the House of Commons represents one of the darkest moments of our history. This attack on the unborn, the sick, the elderly and the disabled is the absolute outworking of atheistic secularism with its denial of the sanctity of human life. Successive British Governments, including the present administration will have to face ultimate accountability before God for what that are doing and have done to our nation.

In His administration God executes judgement.

For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red;
it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same:
but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

(Psalm 75:8)

This is chilling. Judgement is woven into the fabric of world history. It is impossible to read world history without judgement. This is why Rome fell. She attempted to defy God and destroy God’s people; therefore the greatest power in world history collapsed into a heap of rubble. God did this.

At times, however, wicked rulers are in themselves the displeasure of God. Nebuchadnezzar was an instrument of wrath upon Israel. The rise of Islam was God’s judgement upon the Christian East. Will God use the rise of Islam in Britain as judgement for our forsaking of our Christian heritage?

The abandonment of Christian marriage, the normalisation of LGBT lifestyles, abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia are all examples of profound social change which is stripping away the foundations of our society. These are all signs in themselves of the judgement of God.

Strife and division, abuse and perversion, violence and bloodshed – occur in a society that abandons God. They are the dregs of God’s wrath poured out upon the earth.

God, however, will shape all events to the progressing of His Son’s Kingdom upon the earth.

But I will declare for ever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off;
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

(Psalm 75:9-10)

Christ will be glorified, God will be honoured, the Bible will be vindicated and the wicked philosophies and false religions will fade away like the autumnal leaf.

We are given hope because even in judgement there is mercy. The growth of the Islamic East and the subsequent fall of ancient Christian societies led to the removal of the ancient New Testament manuscripts to the West. As a consequence God’s Word became freely available in the West. For me the future of the Christian Church is not in the morally decaying West but in the East. Has God not raised up over two billion people in China and India for a great Gospel purpose? Here there are ripe mission fields. The explosion of Christianity in China is indicative that God is working in this land, at least, in a way in which He is not working in the West. As judgement falls mercy prevails. Where sin abounds grace superabounds.

Never despair – God reigns among the Kingdoms of men. Through mercy and judgement the tapestry of time is woven until the last great day when all of God’s people are gathered into the eternal palace.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Revelation 19:6

3: OUR RESPONSE IN AN AGE OF JUDGEMENT

IN THE LIGHT OF THE TEACHING OF THIS PSALM WHAT CAN WE DO?

PRAY – for the fulfilling of God’s plan, for the progress of the Church and for merciful interventions.

WARN – Our nation of the dreadful consequences of forsaking God.

CALL – Our nation back to its roots, uncover the foundations which are being eroded.

BE SALT AND LIGHT