Joshua 8-9, Psalm 75, Mark 1:35-45, 1 Corinthians 3

Psalm 75:

Why give thanks to God? There are many answers to that question, not least because of his saving grace wrought at the cross. But here the psalm has a particular and perhaps slightly enigmatic reason in its focus: “for your name is near” (75:1). The reason why, then, we are encouraged in this psalm to give thanks to God is because his name is near.

The psalm then goes on to explain what it means by this phrase that God’s name is “near.” It is God who “appoints” and who “judges.” He it is that keeps the earth stable—with all the difficulties and calamities of our world, it is God who stops it all spiraling out of control: “it is I who keep steady its pillars” (75:3). He stops the boastful and the wicked (75:4-5). And it is God who lifts someone up to high status or prominence (75:6). The course of a person’s life is not really down to luck or fate or chance; “in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed” (75:7). God decides our fate, our prosperity, how well we do.

Therefore, the psalmist “will sing praises” to God (75:9). His “name” is “near.” In other words, God is not merely distant from his creation letting it all happen without intervening. God is actively involved, answering prayer, responding to faith, intervening by the power of his Spirit. And therefore, we give thanks to God. Would you give thanks to God this morning that his name is near?