The Song of God’s Glory

The Song of God’s Glory
Romans 11:33-36
June 9, 2024

On more than one road trip, Raye Jeanne and I have lamented the countryside we would miss while driving before dawn or after dusk.  The night sky was going to obscure the waving grasslands, or the rolling hills, the mountain peaks, or the waves on the seaside.  When it’s dark, it’s hard to see beauty.

When the surroundings are harsh and ugly, it’s hard to perceive beauty.  Where is beauty in a coal mine?  Where is beauty in a natural disaster? Where is beauty in a desert?  But it exists.  There are oases.  Sometimes we just need to look a little harder. 

And when we are in spiritual suffering and hardship, we may need to look a little harder as well.  It is possible to sing songs that encourage the heart when we are discouraged and sad.  We’ve seen that in the Psalms over the past couple of months.  Today I want to take us to a NT song, Paul’s benediction of praise in Romans 11, to remind us how to sing when we are tempted to complaint and despair.

Remember the structure of the book of Romans; the first 11 chapters recite Paul’s doctrine of sin, salvation, and sanctification.  Starting in chapter 12, he will explain how those truths are fleshed out in serving others.  But before he leaves the doctrinal topics, he explodes in a benediction of praise — he sings a song of joy.  After he has taught and before he applies his teaching, he worships:

Let God’s revelation of Himself lead you to praise Him.

What we know of the nature of God and the truth of our salvation should lead us to humble satisfaction in God and joyful worship of God.  Theology and worship are partners; rich theology leads to deep worship.  This song of praise is sung in four “verses.”  These verses teach us how to sing joyfully (contentedly) in every circumstance:

1. An Exclamation of Praise (v. 33)
2. Two Questions for Praise (vv. 34-35)
3. An Affirmation of Praise (v. 36a)
4. An Ascription of Praise (v. 36b)

Download the rest of this sermon on Romans 11:33-36.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.

Jon Tyson jontyson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.