Let all the earth fear the LORD

Psalm 33:6-9

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

Words are powerful.

I do not make that statement as one who believes that everything we speak will come to pass like those false teachers of the “word of faith.” No, it is God’s words that have ultimate power. The Eternal Word is powerful. That Word became flesh, dwelt among us, died for our sins and rose again on the third day.

God’s words are powerful.

From the beginning to the end, every major work of God was by his word.

By his word were all things created (Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16).

By his word He established his covenant with his people (Exodus 20).

By his word He declared his work finished (John 19:30).

By his word will all his enemies be vanquished (Revelation 19:15).

God’s words are powerful and awful.

“Let the earth fear the LORD… for he spoke, and it came to be.” The earth should fear Him. WE should fear Him. He is powerful and mighty. His mere words brought all of creation into existence and that same word can destroy us. And we deserve to be destroyed because of our sin.

God has delivered his powerful, mighty word to us through the Holy Spirit.

But God in his lavish grace and mercy has chosen to continue his creative work through the work of the church. By our proclamation of Christ from his word, God grants faith and repentance in many hearers (Philippians 1:29; Acts 11:18). God’s word, the gospel, is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). God’s word never returns to Him empty, but it will accomplish every purpose for which it was sent forth (Isaiah 55:11).

Now, it is our task to take this powerful word, representative of the Word who created all things and inspires awe and fear in all people, TO all peoples. The call of Psalm 33:8 to “let all the earth fear the LORD” is the great commission call for the church to take the Word of the LORD to the ends of the earth.

I hope “you stand in awe of Him.” I hope that this awe moves us all to faith and obedience.

One day I hope we hear another powerfully encouraging word from the LORD, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”