https://literalword.com/esv?q=Psalm+145;+Ezekiel+38
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 11 October 2026:
Psalm 145:1-4 — I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
David begins with a personal commitment to praise God every day, forever. Although David was himself a king, he recognizes that he lives under the authority of a far greater King. His worship flows from understanding who God is, what He has done, and the relationship he enjoys with Him. God’s greatness is unsearchable, meaning that however much we learn about Him, there will always be more to discover and admire. Growing in our knowledge of God should therefore deepen our worship rather than merely increase our biblical knowledge.
David also recognizes that praise must extend beyond his own lifetime. Each generation has a responsibility to declare God’s works to the next. Faith is not inherited automatically, and children will not necessarily develop a biblical understanding of God simply because they grow up in a Christian home. They must hear His Word, understand His character, and see the reality of His transforming power in the lives of those who teach them. This echoes God’s instruction to Israel to teach His commands diligently throughout the ordinary activities of daily life (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
As Christians, we have an even greater revelation of God’s glory in Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, God has demonstrated His holiness, righteousness, mercy, and love. Our responsibility is to proclaim this Gospel and model the life it produces. This is especially important as we raise children and influence others in a world increasingly opposed to biblical truth. We are called to live as sojourners and exiles, resisting the sinful desires that wage war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11), while faithfully representing Christ to the people around us. Are you intentionally teaching those within your influence about God’s character and works? Does your daily conduct reinforce what you say you believe about Him?
Psalm 145:8-9 — The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
David moves from celebrating God’s greatness to describing His character. The Lord is not merely powerful; He is gracious, merciful, patient, and overflowing with steadfast love. These words echo God’s revelation of Himself to Moses (Exodus 34:6-7). His greatness is inseparable from His goodness. He exercises unlimited power with perfect righteousness and wisdom, extending His kindness throughout creation.
God’s patience is particularly remarkable when we consider humanity’s persistent rebellion. Rather than immediately executing judgment against every sinner, He continually demonstrates mercy and calls people to repentance. His kindness is not evidence that He overlooks sin, but an expression of His patience toward those who deserve judgment (Romans 2:4). The Gospel reveals the fullest expression of this mercy. God did not compromise His righteousness to forgive sinners; Jesus Christ bore the judgment our sins deserved so that those who trust in Him might be reconciled to God (Romans 3:23-26).
Those who have received such mercy should increasingly reflect it. Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, reminding us that our heavenly Father extends His common blessings to both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:44-45). Our response to difficult people reveals whether we are merely grateful to receive God’s patience or are also willing to extend patience to others. Are you becoming more gracious and merciful as you grow in your relationship with Christ? Do you treat others according to the mercy you have received or according to what you believe they deserve?
Psalm 145:11-13 — They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
David calls God’s people to proclaim the glory of His kingdom. Unlike earthly kingdoms, which rise and fall, God’s reign is eternal. Every government, institution, and human authority operates within the limits of His sovereign rule. This provides perspective for believers living in a world characterized by political conflict, moral decline, and opposition to biblical truth. Our ultimate citizenship and allegiance belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).
Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom of God and calling people to repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:14-15). Through His death and resurrection, He defeated sin and death, secured the salvation of His people, and established His reign as the risen King. Those who belong to Him have been transferred from the domain of darkness into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). We now live as His ambassadors, representing His character, proclaiming His message, and inviting others to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
This means that our responsibility is not merely to resist the corruption of the world, but to actively demonstrate the values of Christ’s kingdom. We must teach our children and encourage other believers to see current events through the larger perspective of God’s eternal purposes. We should also remember that the present world is not our final home. We await the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). Are you allowing the concerns of this temporary world to overshadow the certainty of Christ’s eternal kingdom? Are you faithfully representing your King through your priorities, conversations, and conduct?
Psalm 145:14-16 — The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
David reminds us that the sovereign King of creation is also personally attentive to the needs of His creatures. He sustains the weak, lifts up those who are burdened, and provides for the living things He has made. God’s greatness does not make Him distant or indifferent. His sovereign power is exercised with personal care.
Jesus draws upon this same truth when teaching His followers not to be consumed by anxiety. Our heavenly Father feeds the birds and clothes the fields, and we are of far greater value to Him (Matthew 6:25-34). This does not mean believers will never experience poverty, sickness, persecution, or loss. Rather, we can trust that our Father knows our needs and will faithfully accomplish His purposes for us. His provision may not always take the form we expect, but His care never fails.
God’s sustaining grace should also shape how we respond to others who are struggling. If our Father raises those who are bowed down, His children should be attentive to those who need encouragement, practical assistance, or spiritual restoration. We become instruments of His compassion as we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Are you trusting God’s care in your own circumstances? Are you allowing His compassion toward you to make you more attentive to the needs of others?
Psalm 145:17-21 — The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth…. The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
David concludes by bringing together God’s righteousness, kindness, nearness, and judgment. His mercy is abundant, but it does not eliminate His holiness. He is near to those who call upon Him in truth, not those who merely offer religious words while refusing to submit their hearts to Him. God knows the difference between genuine faith and outward profession. Jesus warned that calling Him Lord is no substitute for a relationship characterized by genuine obedience (Matthew 7:21).
David also reminds us that the Lord preserves those who love Him, while the wicked face judgment. This does not promise believers freedom from suffering or physical death. Rather, those who belong to God are secure in His ultimate saving purposes. Jesus assures His sheep that He gives them eternal life and that no one can snatch them from His hand (John 10:27-29). Through His sacrifice, believers are delivered from the judgment they deserve and brought into everlasting fellowship with God.
We must therefore avoid two opposite errors: presuming upon God’s mercy while continuing in unrepentant sin, or living in fear as though our salvation depended upon our own perfection. The Gospel calls us to repent and trust Christ, then to walk in loving obedience through the power of His Spirit. Genuine love for God increasingly produces a desire to please Him. Are you calling upon God in truth, with a heart willing to surrender to His authority? Does your confidence rest in Christ’s saving work, and is that confidence producing a life of growing holiness?
Ezekiel 38:1-4 — The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen….
Following the remarkable promises of spiritual restoration and national reunification in the previous chapter, God reveals that His restored people will face a formidable enemy. Gog, from the land of Magog, leads a vast coalition against Israel. The precise historical identification of Gog remains uncertain, and interpreters differ over whether this prophecy describes a particular future invasion, represents the broader conflict between God’s kingdom and the powers of evil, or anticipates the final rebellion described in Revelation. What is unmistakable is the central message: no enemy, however powerful, can overturn God’s purposes.
God declares that He is against Gog and will put hooks into his jaws, demonstrating His absolute authority over even the most powerful rulers. Gog believes he is directing his own destiny, but his actions remain subject to God’s sovereign control. This does not mean God approves of his wicked intentions or removes his responsibility for them. Scripture repeatedly shows that God can accomplish His righteous purposes even through the sinful decisions of human beings. The clearest example is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which occurred according to God’s definite plan while those responsible remained accountable for their actions (Acts 2:23).
This should produce both humility and confidence. We must never imagine that our plans, abilities, or authority place us beyond God’s rule. Neither should we become fearful when evil appears to gain strength. The same Lord who governs nations and rulers is accomplishing His purposes in the lives of His people. Are you more impressed by the apparent power of those who oppose God than by the sovereignty of God Himself? Are you submitting your own plans and ambitions to His authority?
Ezekiel 38:8-9 — After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel…. You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.
Gog’s attack comes against a people who have been gathered and restored. The description of an overwhelming army descending like a storm emphasizes the apparent vulnerability of God’s people and the terrifying strength of their enemies. Yet the prophecy follows God’s promises of restoration for a reason. The Lord is showing that His ability to save does not end when He restores His people; He remains their protector when new threats arise.
This challenges a common misunderstanding of the Christian life. We may assume that once we have experienced God’s grace, surrendered to His will, or entered a season of spiritual growth, our greatest struggles should be behind us. Yet belonging to Christ does not remove us from spiritual conflict. Jesus explicitly warned His disciples that they would experience tribulation in the world, while assuring them that He had overcome it (John 16:33).
The believer’s security rests not in the absence of opposition, but in union with the victorious Christ. Through His resurrection, Jesus has already defeated the decisive power of sin and death, and He will ultimately bring every enemy under His authority (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). We therefore face present trials with confidence in His ultimate victory, not with the expectation that faithfulness guarantees an easy life. When opposition or hardship comes, do you interpret it as evidence that God has abandoned you? Are you drawing your confidence from favorable circumstances or from your relationship with Christ?
Ezekiel 38:10-13 — Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme…. to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations….
God exposes the motives behind Gog’s invasion. He sees a people dwelling securely and devises a plan to exploit their apparent vulnerability for personal gain. His ambition is driven by greed, pride, and a willingness to harm others to obtain what he desires. God not only knows the outward actions of rulers and nations; He also knows the intentions of their hearts.
Although Gog’s actions are extreme, the underlying temptations are familiar. We may not command armies or conquer nations, but we can still use our position, influence, resources, or knowledge to advance ourselves at the expense of others. Sin often begins long before an outward act, when we allow selfish desires to shape our thinking. James explains that sinful desires, when embraced and cultivated, give birth to sinful actions (James 1:14-15). Jesus likewise teaches that evil actions flow from the heart (Mark 7:20-23).
The Gospel confronts not only our behavior but the desires that produce it. Christ came to redeem us from sin’s guilt and power, and through His Spirit He progressively transforms our hearts. Instead of exploiting others for personal advantage, we are called to follow the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Are you using the authority and opportunities God has entrusted to you for the good of others or primarily for your own advancement? Are there selfish motives you have rationalized because your outward actions appear acceptable?
Ezekiel 38:14-16 — Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you…. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land…. so that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
God reveals that even Gog’s invasion will ultimately serve the revelation of His holiness. Gog intends to destroy God’s people, but the Lord will use his rebellion to demonstrate His own power and faithfulness before the nations. Evil does not become good simply because God overrules it for His purposes. Rather, His sovereignty is so complete that even those who oppose Him cannot prevent His ultimate glory.
This is an important distinction when considering suffering and injustice. We should never minimize evil or excuse wrongdoing by suggesting that God must have intended the sin itself as something good. Yet we can trust that He is neither surprised nor defeated by human rebellion. Joseph expressed this confidence when he acknowledged that his brothers intended evil against him, but God intended good through the same events (Genesis 50:20).
The cross provides the greatest demonstration of this truth. Human hatred and injustice brought about the crucifixion of the sinless Son of God, yet through that very event God accomplished the salvation of sinners. What appeared to be evil’s greatest victory became the means of its decisive defeat. When we encounter injustice, opposition, or suffering, we can resist evil faithfully while trusting God’s sovereign wisdom. Are you allowing the reality of evil to weaken your confidence in God’s goodness? Can you trust His purposes without pretending to understand everything He permits?
Ezekiel 38:18-23 — But on that day, the day that Gog shall come against the land of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, my wrath will be roused in my anger…. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord GOD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother…. So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
The chapter concludes with God’s decisive intervention against Gog. The overwhelming army that appeared invincible is brought to destruction through divine judgment. God uses the forces of creation and even confusion within the invading army to demonstrate that no earthly power can successfully oppose Him. The purpose is repeatedly stated: the nations will recognize His greatness and holiness.
This passage reminds us that God’s judgment is not inconsistent with His goodness. A God who is perfectly righteous cannot remain indifferent to evil, injustice, and the oppression of His people. His patience provides opportunity for repentance, but His holiness guarantees that evil will not prevail forever. The final defeat of Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:7-10 echoes Ezekiel’s prophecy and points toward the ultimate overthrow of Satan and every force opposed to God’s kingdom.
For Christians, this future judgment should produce both confidence and urgency. We can endure opposition without surrendering to fear or taking personal vengeance, knowing that God will judge with perfect righteousness (Romans 12:19). At the same time, we should remember that apart from Christ, we too would stand condemned. The Gospel declares that Jesus bore God’s righteous judgment against sin so that all who repent and trust in Him may receive forgiveness and eternal life (1 Thessalonians 1:10). We should therefore respond to the prospect of judgment not with arrogance toward unbelievers, but with humility, compassion, and a desire to proclaim Christ while there is still opportunity.
Psalm 145 and Ezekiel 38 together reveal the fullness of God’s character and the certainty of His kingdom. David celebrates the Lord as gracious, merciful, patient, and righteous, while Ezekiel demonstrates that this same God will ultimately defeat those who persist in opposing Him. His mercy and judgment are not competing attributes; both flow from His perfect holiness and love. The God who tenderly sustains His people is also the sovereign King who will bring evil to an end.
These readings also clarify our responsibility as citizens of Christ’s kingdom. We are to praise God daily, teach His truth to the next generation, proclaim the Gospel, and live as faithful ambassadors in a world that often rejects His authority. We must neither withdraw from the world in fear nor become conformed to its values. Instead, we are to engage others with the truth and love of Christ, trusting the Lord to accomplish His purposes. Are you living with the confidence of someone whose King reigns forever? Are you faithfully communicating His truth to those God has placed within your influence, or have fear, distraction, and worldly concerns diminished your witness?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 11 October 2026: Today, have one intentional conversation with a family member or someone God has placed within your influence. Share one specific example of God’s goodness or faithfulness, explain how it strengthens your confidence in Christ’s eternal kingdom, and encourage that person to trust and follow Him. Make the conversation an opportunity to pass God’s truth to another person rather than merely discussing the concerns of this temporary world.
Pray: “Father, You are the eternal King, gracious and merciful, righteous in all Your ways, and sovereign over every nation. Thank You for saving me through Jesus Christ and giving me an everlasting hope in Your kingdom. Forgive me when I become fearful of the world, distracted by temporary concerns, or reluctant to proclaim Your truth. Strengthen my faith, purify my motives, and help me live as a faithful ambassador of Christ. Give me courage to speak Your Word with love, to teach the next generation, and to trust Your perfect purposes in every circumstance. May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.”
