"THE CLAIMS OF GOD" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 8/20/26

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)

It is a trick of Satan to turn our attention away from the most vital and consequential matters to trivial considerations. He managed to turn the eyes of our first parents away from the tree of life, causing them to lust after the deadly fruit of the forbidden tree. Thieves and robbers know very well the advantage that the art of deception brings to their trade - while their victim is looking to see who is clanging the trash cans the thief is bagging up his treasures. Satan will blind poor sin sick souls with the dust of the wilderness, lest they should get sight of the brazen serpent and be healed.

In order to distract hearers from the Words of Life spoken by Jesus, the enemy was busy instigating debates upon hand washing, borders of garments, phylacteries, the “straining out of gnats,” if you will. For example, while Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman of living water, Satan turned her thoughts to opposing mountains of Gerizim and Zion.

The enemy still uses his same trickery today. It is our business to be aware of his devices, and to break away from all trivial questions and vain jangling and force foundation truths - the cornerstone of everlasting life and the core vitalities of godliness. These lie all Godward and Christward, and away from all ceremonies and clouds of vain speculation, to the eternal Rock and everlasting hills. The psalmist here concludes with this declaration: “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

This short psalm calls us away from the vanities of men and trappings of religion, and speeds us toward the realities of heaven, that we may see things essential and eternal. The third verse, which I chose for a text, states a basic truth which explains the joy, gladness, and praise that the whole psalm calls for. “…it is he that made us and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” This is a statement of great simplicity, yet it contains an ocean depth of theology and philosophy.

How did we get here? Human wisdom has made the answer to this question very complicated, not to speak of ridiculous - regardless of which of the many “theories” you may consider. The true answer is the simple answer given in the text: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us...” When the late R.C. Sproul was asked why he believed that man was created by God, the enquirer, being aware of the brilliant mind and scholarship of this great theologian, perhaps expected some deep scientific dissertation. Instead, Mr. Sproul’s mind probably went to this psalm as he gave his simple answer: “Because” he said, “I am, and I did not create myself.” As we learn from the example of our Lord Jesus, often the simplest answer is the best answer.

For what were we created? Our children’s catechism holds the simple answer which cannot be improved upon: “To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” The psalm begins: “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Then comes our text, which contains the chief reason for this joy, gladness and singing. Then immediately after our text verse, he says, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.”

Had man remained what God made him, it would have been his very element to glorify God and enjoy Him. We see this demonstrated in all inanimate creation of the material universe, which abide as God created them. With the ponderous orbs, there is no stubborn vis inertia, fighting against change. They simply joyfully follow their predestinated track. Behold the numberless hosts of heaven; they shine on, never closing their bright eyes, because God said, “Let there be light.” (Isa. 40:26) Orion breaks not his bands. Pleiades cease not their given purpose.

So it is also with intelligent creatures that remain as created, having not lost their first estate. The mighty angels fly like a flash at the bidding of their Creator. It is their delight to obey - to glorify the Most High is their glory. So had it been with mankind had not sin entered the picture. Were we what we should be, it would be our element to love and to serve and to adore our God and Creator.

The psalmist calls upon all the redeemed of the Lord to enjoy, praise, and glorify the Lord. We have been made anew in the likeness of our Creator. (Eph. 4:24) We are His blood bought people, and the chosen sheep of His pasture. (John 10:11-16, 27-29) It is therefore our duty, our privilege, and our greatest delight to love, serve, and glorify the Lord. For this we are given incentive, in that, “The LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Vs. 5)