“Give credit where credit is due.” We have all been advised to do this at some point in our lives. And it usually is meant in a positive way. If the other team outplays your team and wins, you have to give them credit for winning the game. Give credit where credit is due. Psalm 29 reminds us to do that.

Psalm 29:1-2 Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

The Lord, the maker of all things, the sustainer of the universe, the one who provided our undeserved forgiveness by sending His Son to be the Savior of mankind, is due a lot of credit. All of it, in fact. He is the one who has all glory and strength. He is holiness, and gives that to us by virtue of our faith in His promises. And He is the one still in control.

That is worth remembering. In spite the unrest and turmoil of national politics, conflicts around the world, the racial tensions that continue to rear their ugly heads, God is in control. His followers should live like they know that to be true. The last part of this Psalm assures us of that.

Psalm 29:10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.

God is in control. His followers should live like they know that to be true. So what does this mean? We know that this world is not all there is. In fact, we are told this world will come to an end. But we have the promise and assurance of something better with Christ. So until then, we need to live in a way that reflects God’s control of us. Peter addressed this in his second epistle. He said the Lord’s return would bring about the destruction of this world before He takes the faithful to the place prepared for us, and gives this encouragement:

2 Peter 3:11-12a Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

Even this obedient living of holy and godly lives is not our own doing, but we do it in the strength God provides. The last verse of Psalm 29 reminds us:

Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

May that peace of God fill your hearts and lives as you face the days ahead.