How Can Your Faith be Stronger Because “The Earth is the Lord’s” (Psalm 24:1)?

Psalm 24:1 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

But when we observe the degenerating condition of the earth, its chaotic world systems, and the people who do evil, it seems everything is out of control and God isn’t in control.

These ideas might be difficult challenges to our faith, especially when many people sincerely question the authority of God and His Word, the Bible. But a close examination of the biblical principles God reveals to us can assure us God’s authority has not diminished at all. We’ll find the answers in the more than 850 times the word “earth” is used in the Bible (ESV).

What Does ‘the Earth Is the Lord’s’ Mean?

As I scrolled through those verses on an online Bible source, I became even more assured about what God means when He says, “the earth is the Lord’s.” He is in charge of how long the earth continues. His possession and sustaining power is demonstrated by the fact that without His continuing total control, our planet would explode out of existence along with the whole universe (or multiverse if you prefer). The atoms cannot hold themselves together without His active power.

From those Bible verses, I noticed the variety of verbs describing God’s intimate involvement: founded, established, made, created, hands stretched out, marshaled the starry host, fashioned, possesses, judges, blesses, rules over, gives life, laid earth’s foundation, in charge, keeps steady, helps, defends and weaves. Incredible!

What is God’s purpose in Him emphasizing His possession of the earth in so many examples?

First, to show there is no other god. Isaiah 45:18 tells us:

For thus says the Lord,
who created the heavens
(he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it
(he established it;
he did not create it empty,
he formed it to be inhabited!):
“I am the Lord, and there is no other. (ESV)

Second, God stresses “the earth is the Lord’s” in order to assure us His created glories reveal He is a mighty, wise and powerful (Joshua 4:24) God. If He is indeed creator and sustainer over every atom, we can trust He is in control of our own lives. We can trust Him with both the little and the big things of life.

 

Third, no one can claim there’s not enough evidence to acknowledge Him. “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Everything God did in creation is intended to reveal Himself to His created beings and give us confidence to trust Him. https://ctt.ac/Z35Nb Share on X

First John 5:19 tells us that Satan has control of the earth: “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” We know the control Satan has is limited because believers are empowered to resist his temptations. And we know it’s temporary because one day Satan will be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 12:7-9; 20:2-10)

What Is the Context of Psalm 24:1-3?

King David is the acknowledged author of Psalm 24 and begins his psalm with “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (verse 1). Then David continues this praise song which is most often described as a processional song to be sung as people travel to the temple in Jerusalem.

Although the idea can’t be proven, many commentators believe this psalm was written to celebrate David entering the gates of Jerusalem with the ark of the covenant and delivering it to the tent (2 Samuel 6:12-15).

Regardless, it is often used as a processional kind of song in churches when the clergy enters. Other times it might be used for celebrating Jesus’s ascension, for He is entering into heaven (God’s permanent temple) as the victorious Messiah to take His place seated at the right hand of God the Father.

The significance of entering the “ancient doors” (vs. 7) is how the victorious kings of Israel entered through the gates of Jerusalem after a successful war. And then David explains, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle” (vs. 8). David starts out praising God for being the sovereign King, creator of everything, and ends by telling everyone to be willing to allow Him entrance (vs. 9).

What better King can we possibly allow to enter our lives and reign?

in Revelation, the final declaration states, “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Rev. 21:1 ESV)

In the meantime, our earth belongs to God and assures us of how mighty, generous, and loving He is. We enjoy His gifts of beautiful nature, good food, and fellowship, acknowledging He is the source. We can praise Him and acknowledge He is worthy to be praised and trusted.

It is interesting that after Peter and John were released from prison, all the disciples and followers who welcomed them home rejoiced. And what did they emphasize in their gratitude? “Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them” (Acts 4:24). Based upon that foundational thought, they continued praising God for how He was protecting them and how He deserved their recognition.

I’ve recently become even more aware of how many times Scripture refers to God Almighty as the creator of heaven and earth. My faith has grown.

How about you? What gives you confidence, faith, and trust in God?