WHOSE HORN WILL YOU TOOT?

Tracey Shellum

Central Truth

Our sinful nature, full of pride and arrogance, draws us down a path that leads to destruction. But God wants better for us. If we humble ourselves, He will lift us up.

All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
(Psalm 75:10)

God Will Judge with Equity

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

1 We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We^{1

75:1
Hebrew They} recount your wondrous deeds.

2 “At the set time that I appoint
    I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
    it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
    or speak with haughty neck.’”

6 For not from the east or from the west
    and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
    putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup
    with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
    and all the wicked of the earth
    shall drain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

Footnotes

[1] 75:1 Hebrew They

Yep, my blood is maroon. I admit that I enjoyed the rivalry between Texas A&M and that little school in Austin. When I study this passage, I imagine an animal, maybe even a longhorn, raising its massive horns in a display of strength, stubbornness, arrogance, and pride. If I’m being honest, I realize this is me. How often am I boastful and stubborn, raising my head with pride to speak with a haughty neck as this passage describes in verse 5? In those moments, I’m also reminded that God is the ultimate judge (verse 7). He will cut off the horns of the wicked. In other words, He will humble us if we don’t humble ourselves.

Satan wants to convince us that we can stand on our own strength—that we don’t need God. He wants us to take great pride in our own accomplishments and ignore the Lord’s goodness all around us. He wants us to pursue wickedness. So what am I doing to guard my heart against the rebellious ways of the wicked? Ephesians 6:10-11 commands us to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:13-18 reminds us that we have a choice each and every day to follow Him and put on that armor: truth and righteousness found in God’s Word; faith in God as the ultimate judge; and confidence in the gospel of peace that offers salvation for all who believe in Jesus. We must renew our minds daily through prayer, staying focused on Christ, and seeking Him in all things. When we’re faithful in doing that, it’s easy to recount His wondrous deeds (Psalm 75:1), daily seek His strength, and live each day humbly while exalting Christ.

Repent, pray, and put on your armor daily! His judgment is coming soon. Be prepared; don’t be cut off. Instead, let Him lift you up! (Psalm 75:10)

1. In what areas of your life have you been arrogant, boastful, or proud? Are you acting like a proud animal that defiantly raises its horns against the world? Are you refusing to bow before God as an ox tossing its neck refusing the yoke?

2. Proverbs 16:18 tells us: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Think about a time in your life when everything was going right. How did you respond? With horns lifted high, reveling in your success? Or with horns bowed in reverence and thanksgiving to God?

3. How are you protecting yourself today from wickedness and the schemes of the enemy?

4. How often do you stop to remember all the good that God has done in your life? How would your perspective change if you regularly reflected on God's goodness rather than your own accomplishments?