READ:
Psalm 68
A powerful image of God is found in
verses 4-6 of Psalm 68. First we are told to sing to God and praise His name.
When we read the word ‘God’ it conjures up the images just put in our mind through
the first 5 verses of a God who is powerful and whose enemies scatter before
Him. The wicked melt before God like wax melts in a fire. This is a mighty,
fearsome God.
He is a God who rides on the clouds. He
commands nature. He is majestic in size and power. The image in our minds of
someone who rides the clouds is certainly someone who has authority over the
heavens and earth.
He is the LORD. This word ‘Lord’ is the
proper name of God. This is the Great I AM. Yahweh. Creator. Wow! It is this
God who rides on the clouds, who is scattering the nations. He is a big God for
big situations, tough when necessary, powerful and in control. But as we read
on, we see this great and mighty God has more sides to Him if we just look.
He is a Father to the fatherless: To
the tiny newborn left in a dumpster. To the foster kid who has moved from house
to house and has no man to call Dad. To the young girl trafficked to keep
greedy men paying more. To the teenager who wishes his dad was still alive to
help him buy his first car. This mighty and majestic God is their father. The
image is powerful as we imagine the rider of the clouds pause to hold a babe,
or protect, or rescue, or discipline. This Creator is tender, and gentle, and
has a heart for the unprotected.
Defender of the widows. The woman left
with too many bills to pay. The mom with burdens of grief mixed in to a life of
loneliness and hardship. The widow in Ethiopia who is tempted to sell herself
because she is not otherwise employable. The wife whose husband was killed for
preaching the gospel who has to leave her home and family to save her life and
her children’s lives. This God of Justice defends that widow. He stands in the
face against those who make life difficult for her, and who exploit her weakness.
This is our God.
Sets the lonely in families. This Rider
of the Clouds does not like it when people on the fringes are just peeking in.
God invites them in, establishes families for them. And to be sure not a single
one on earth would be left without family, He created the Church – The Family
of God – so that each could have brothers and sisters and Father. He promises
to be with us, and never to forsake us, right till the end. He longs for
relationship. He is that God.
From mighty and magnificent, to tender
and nurturing. This is our God.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Ask the Lord which of His
characteristics you need (or have needed) even if you have never noticed? How has
He been a Father to you? Has He commanded nature on your behalf? Has He set you
in a family? Who does He want to be for you today? Spend time listening and
asking Him to reveal both His nurturing and mighty heart to you today. Thank
Him for how He has cared for you in the past.
2. Considering your day, your current
situation, your stage in life – what is it you need from Jesus today? Spend a
few minutes journaling and telling God what you need. Ask Him for a word,
thought, picture or song to encourage you in the truth that He will be exactly
what you need.
3. In order to grow in our faith and to look
more like our Father in heaven, we can grow and do the things we see God doing.
Ask Jesus if there is something He is calling you to practically do in order to
be a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, to set the lonely in
families. Listen carefully for His specific word for you. If He gives you an action
to take, make a commitment to start on that today. If not, take a few minutes
to pray for people who currently are in one of those situations.
