GRACE: PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE

 

March 7, 2024



Psalm 68: 7-18



O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah

the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
“The kings of the armies — they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil —
though you men lie among the sheepfolds —
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snowfall on Zalmon.
O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.

You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

GRACE: PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE

David the “worshipping King” invites us into worship with a song of praise for the saving power of God. Psalm 68:7-18 has three key themes. In verses 7-10 it describes the power of God in delivering the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. Then, verses 11-14 recount the power of God in the present to uphold and sustain his people as they lived among their enemies. Finally, a third theme found in verses 15-18 is to rejoice in the power of God that will safely bring his people home to the mountain of God.

In reading and reflecting on the verses above, would you agree that they describe the life of a follower and worshipper of God? Think of it, we are those who have been brought out from the bondage of sin and death, are being preserved in our present journey, and have been given a promise that we shall arrive safely home. How are all these wonderful truths possible? Well here again we are witness to a snapshot of Grace. These benefits are assured for us because of our “champion”, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 68:18 refers to one who "ascended on high” leading a host of “captives in his train.” It is interesting to note that according to the Apostle Paul, this passage (psalm 68:18) is describing Jesus, particularly the victory accomplished by him through his resurrection from the dead (Ephesians 4:8). There in Ephesians we read that “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

In Hebrews 12:2 we are told to keep our eyes on Jesus, the “archegos” of our faith. “Archegos” has been translated as “author” or “pioneer,” but it is also translated as “champion.” In other words, “Jesus went toe-to-toe with sin and death and won!” The victor!! Now, that is very good news, that is a great snapshot of grace, you see we can rest in him, knowing that the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is also at work in us (1 Corinthians 6:14).

I wonder, do you find yourself anxious today? 

Are you maybe fearful of what the future holds? 

Let the truth of these verses, sink deep into your mind and spirit, and may they be a reminder that the power of God is present in your life because of the work of our “champion”, our Archegos. Because of him we have been brought out of bondage, are being preserved day by day, and through his grace we shall arrive safely home.

Let Us Pray

Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the power present in our lives because of our champion, Christ Jesus, and we would ask that today we would find ourselves equipped with courage and joy because of him who ascended on high. In Christ’s Name, Amen.