Who Is Like You?

Throughout this week as I spent time with the LORD, the theme “who is like you” kept coming. I saw it in the Psalms I read, in the music I listened to, in other Bible passages I heard or even in discussions. It was certainly unique to have everything I ingest prompt me to ask such a question. This question in the Bible is a rhetorical one where no answer is expected since it is quite evident. This question is often asked in settings where the author wants to show off the grandeur of the LORD Almighty, how there is none like Him in all the earth, His power or omnipotence, His invincibility over everything that has breath and in the universe. In addition to that, the Psalms I meditated on this week all had this constant theme of the LORD being a strong tower or a help in time of trouble for those that fear Him, that is those who trust in Him and not in chariots or horses. These Psalms simply expounded on the prowess of God when it comes to taking care of His own, the people of His pasture, those He loves, the apple of His eyes. There is absolutely no reward for trusting in man, however frightening the situation might be or difficult, there is no reward but only destruction. Today, I would like to encourage you to choose the LORD, to be confident in Him and to do so daily.

Most of the Psalms I read this week were psalms written by the Sons of Korah. Korah was a Levite who rebelled against the LORD with a band of men during the time of Moses and was swallowed by the earth with his household (Numbers 16:32). Surprisingly, this act of rebellion did not completely wipe out Korah’s descendance as we learn from Numbers: “The line of Korah, however, did not die out.” (Numbers 26:11). In fact, the prophet Samuel came from the line of Korah and the first book of Chronicles tells us that the tribe of Korah became gatekeepers of the tabernacle (1 Chronicle 9:19). Moreover, during David’s reign the Korahites were among those leading worship in the tabernacle including ceremonies involving the Ark of the Covenant as established by king David (1 Chronicles 15:1-5). It is evident from the Psalms we have that the Sons of Korah had a deep devotion to the LORD, and I can see why they stood out in their ministry to the LORD. Many of the Psalms they wrote always draws the focus to the LORD. God is always highly exalted in their writings and there is jubilation and hope for those who put their confidence in the LORD. One of their famous songs is Psalm 46 where we find the line “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). There is a sense of joy and confidence that springs up when I read Psalms written by the Sons of Korah. It is difficult to read their Psalms and feel defeated or remain depressed. Their songs call for rejoicing, shouting to God, clapping hands to the LORD, rejoicing in His majesty and awesomeness (Psalm 47) or exalting the LORD in all His greatness (Psalm 48). What I also love about those Psalms is that they reminded the people about their history; where they came from and what God had done for them. It also reminded them who they were in God’s eyes and what value they had. For us today, the effect is the same, not only do we get to learn about who God is and what He has done in the lives of our forefathers, but we also learn about history and the faithfulness of God. If God could be trusted then, He certainly can be trusted today.

In reading and singing the songs of the Sons of Korah, the question of “who is like our God?” or “who is like the God of Israel?” gets to be asked in worship and exaltation. As you read about how great God is, it is as though your heart bubbles with pride and just wants to declare “Who is like our God” and continue declaring that “No one is like Him”. Psalms like these have a succinct way of putting the reader in the shoes of the writer and bringing you along in their journey of faith. It is quite beautiful to see how much wisdom and mastery they have over their craft. The Spirit of the LORD had to be guiding their writings. The songs of the Sons of Korah teach me how to worship God and how to keep my full confidence in the LORD. This knowledge is particularly highlighted in Psalm 49 which tells the listeners that certain sentiments are not for the people of God, it tells us that there are certain reactions that do not befit God’s people rather the fools or the wicked. Unlike those who do not know the LORD, the people of God should not be dwelling in fear, nor should they be dwelling in their own status or affluence; their songs teach us that the people of God should not be focusing their attention on the men and women of the world who seem to be having an apparent “great” life; men and women who “have it all” in this world as we say or men and women of great wealth. While the world focuses on such people, the people of God, those that know their God and are loved by Him should focus on their God. It is from Him that they get their salvation. There is no real rescue, no freedom that can happen outside of their God or without His intervention. Even when everything appears as if there is no way out, the songs of the Sons of Korah encourage us to remain anchored and to wait on the LORD. More than waiting, they encourage us to trust in the LORD, to look upon His might and to not fret evil men because of how great our God. The focus of Psalms like the ones written by the Sons of Korah help us see the One who is fighting the battle on our behalf. That is the reason we cannot fear or be paralyzed by what the wicked does to us. There is nothing that can hurt the righteous one, those whose hope is in the LORD. The LORD is their redeemer, and He comes for His own.

If this post has not stirred you enough to go read the Psalms written by the sons of Korah, I would encourage you to do that so you can be encouraged by the Great I AM. As you keep reading, your heart will be drawn to worship the LORD just as mine was. What a glorious thing to know that when you come to Christ, this same God, the Great I AM becomes your Father, you are a child of His and He cares for you as long as you remain in Him. I pray that just as the Psalms direct our focus away from our problems and towards the LORD that we will indeed practice that in our day to day, not looking at how we are doing, what we have or don’t have but only look to the LORD and wait on Him. May the LORD grant us the grace to exalt Him over our problems. Amen.