I was blessed with the adventure of going to Pakistan for my graduation trip. One of the highlights was a four-day trek up Rush Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. The journey took us through plains, valleys, ridges, steep inclines, and rocky paths along the mountain’s spine, before the final push to the summit. One thought that stayed with me throughout the trek was how my perception of the mountain kept changing. From a distance, Rush Peak looked small and achievable. But the closer I drew, the more massive, overwhelming, and majestic it became. It was only by coming near that I realized just how small I was in comparison, and only then could I truly appreciate its greatness.

Psalm 95 invites us into this same posture of awe toward God. In the ancient Near Eastern world, nations often saw their gods as local deities, tied to a mountain or a region. But the psalmist shatters such thinking: “The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods!” (v.3). His rule is not confined to a single place. He is the Creator and Ruler of all. The depths of the earth, the highest mountains, the roaring seas, and the dry land all belong to Him, for He made them (v.4–5). And not only the world, but also humanity: “Come, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (v.6). This great God is not distant; He is our Shepherd, and we are His people, the sheep of His pasture (v.7). The only fitting response to such greatness is worship, reverence, and willing submission to His care.

Yet the psalm also warns us. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah” (vv.7–8). When the Israelites came out of Egypt and spent forty years in the wilderness, they often fell into unbelief. At Rephidim, they found no water and out of unbelief, they quarrelled with Moses, and demanded water to drink. That place was then called Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarrelling) because they tested the Lord. They trusted God for a while when they saw His miracles, but as soon as troubles came, they doubted His power and disobeyed His authority. This unbelief grew into a stubborn habit. They became hard-hearted, stubborn, and rebellious. Even though they had seen God’s mighty works, they rejected the good land He promised and at times wished to return to Egypt, choosing slavery and death rather than trusting the Lord. As a result, that generation never entered the Promised Land (vv.10–11).

Dear brothers and sisters, Psalm 95 presents a striking contrast between celebrative worship and rebellious unbelief. Verses 1–2 invite us to respond to God’s greatness with joy, song, and thanksgiving, while verses 7–11 warn of the danger of hard hearts and disbelief. The same danger that plagued Israel threatens the church today. How often do we shrink God down to a manageable size, forgetting His past faithfulness, doubting Him in trials, and allowing unbelief to take root? True understanding of the great King awakens worship—it fills us with awe, gratitude, and joyful obedience. Today, if we hear His voice, let us not harden our hearts but draw near in trust, thankfulness, and worship, for only in yielding to His greatness will we find the true rest our souls long for.

Prayer:

Lord Almighty, our great King and Shepherd, we praise You for Your power, Your wisdom, and Your unfailing care. Forgive us for the times we have doubted You, grumbled, or hardened our hearts like Israel in the wilderness. Help us to see Your greatness clearly, not as a distant deity, but as our Maker, our King, and our Shepherd. Teach us to respond with hearts of joy and worship, offering songs of thanksgiving and lives surrendered to Your will. Guard us from unbelief, and lead us into Your rest, that we may follow You faithfully and rejoice in Your presence all our days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.