God Promises the World Will Know Him

Psalms 76:1-3 In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. 2 His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. 3 There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
 
THE LORD God formed Israel to make his name known to the world. He called Abram to establish in Canaan a new nation with a worldwide purpose: Genesis 12:3c All the families on earth will be blessed through you.
   Eventually during David’s and Solomon’s reigns, God firmly established his dwelling place in Zion or Salem as Jerusalem is sometimes called. Through these two kings’ wealth and military strength, God revealed himself to the world.
   But we know that human jealousy divided the nation. Israel to the north, Judah to the south. Israel’s leaders completely rejected God. Judah’s kings were an alternating group of godly and pagan men. Still God made himself known to his people. He did powerful work through such prophets as Elijah and Elisha in Israel. But eventually Israel’s sin was too much. So God dispersed them into neighboring nations, including Assyria.
   God, though, did a great work against Assyria. The LORD’s mighty arm killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers who were set to destroy Jerusalem. V 3 He broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. V 5 Valiant men lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands. The nations knew who protected Judah.
   Still, Judah’s sin was great. God exiled the nation to Babylon. But he made himself known to the nations. Daniel describes God’s hand over Babylon’s pagan king Nebuchadnezzar. God gifted Daniel to interpret dreams. The LORD protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. This caused Nebuchadnezzar to decree: Daniel 3:29e “No other god can save in this way.”
   God returned the Jews to Judah. They rebuilt the temple and the city. Nehemiah and Ezra describe revival worship and reinstating God’s law. God reigned in Zion.
   But other nations would continually control Judah. And for about 400 years, it seemed God had left his people to fend for themselves. But a voice came out of the desert. John the Baptist announced, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) And soon the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:16-17)
   Jesus fulfilled God’s plan. “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.” (Matthew 12:18)
   The gospel is now completing God’s promise to Abram to bless the nations. One day God will again make his dwelling place in Zion. He will come to break the enemies’ flashing arrows and the weapons of war. He will be v 4 resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.  
   When earthly powers threaten to remove God from his throne, when the church seems to be dispersed and in exile, you can surely know God’s name will be above all forever.