If you read a condensed history of the world, an overriding theme is how each empire and kingdom rises and falls. Some last longer than others, but each is thirsting for power, which leads to wars. It’s still going on today, and sometimes we wonder just how long it will be before God does something about it! And that brings other questions: Why does God allow it to happen? Why is there so much suffering? Why am I going through this?

Psalm 75 shows us not only that the Lord is above all earthly kingdoms (vs 2–5), but that we perhaps ask the wrong questions because we see such a small part of God’s sovereign plans. We look from our perspective, our human timescale, rather than God’s eternal timing (v 2). He chooses the timings, and one day he will judge the evils of the world (vs 2,4,7,10). He judges fairly (vs 2,7,10) and gives warning that it will happen (vs 4,5). 

It’s sometimes hard to understand why we face difficulties (v 3). Yet we can trust God even in the middle of chaos and injustice. His sovereignty is geared to his timetable for a larger redemptive purpose, and not to our immediate needs and desires – God’s clocks are never wrong!

‘When you accept … that God is in control of [hard seasons], you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because hope then is in God and not yourself.’¹

This is a song reassuring us that God is the final judge. It was written at a time when arrogant worldly powers threatened Israel’s security, possibly during the time of the Assyrian threat.² It starts with thanksgiving from the congregation (v 1) and finishes with a declaration of praise (vs 9,10). Between these come two stanzas containing a reassuring word from heaven (vs 2–5) and then a triumphant response from God’s people on earth (vs 6–8).

God’s reassuring message reminds the people that he will not fail to call the arrogant to account. However, this will happen in his ‘appointed time’ (v 2) and on his own terms. It is difficult for limited human beings to understand God’s unlimited perspective of time. We live in a ‘microwave generation’, in which we want everything now and are often unable or unwilling to wait. Patience is a lost virtue, increasingly painful to acquire. God is insisting here that he will act and that he will act rightly – but it will be in his timing, not ours. And he invites us simply to trust him in this.

The cup of spiced wine is a familiar biblical symbol for God’s judgement against the wicked – which is inevitable. God will always have the last word. He alone will decide the final outcome, both for the wicked and for the righteous. He brings one down, while exalting another. He is sovereign and he is fully in control. Therefore we can trust him completely and never give way to fear.

No matter how dark or difficult your life’s circumstances are right now, make it your regular habit to celebrate and acknowledge God’s sovereignty in your life. Accept his timing, which may be beyond your understanding. When arrogant people threaten your security, be confident that God will ultimately overrule and judge them.

¹ Charles R Swindoll, ‘Think Theologically not Logically’, on-line article, 2009  ² 2 Kings 18,19