Psalm 68

God must lead us forward if we are to walk as His followers. When He rises up to lead Israel, He is not weak. He can remove His adversaries in a moment. His people will be filled with joy worshiping Him forever, but those who hate Him will perish.

Do you believe what God says about final judgment and about heaven? Exercise that faith right now, Worship the Lord with joy, for He will rescue you. He led the descendants of Jacob through the wilderness and brought them into the promised land. More than that, He has rescued us from eternal judgment through the blood of His Son, and He will bring us to our heavenly home.

Not only do we praise Him for His great acts of redemption that are the most important facts of history, and for the complete fulfillment of His promises that will be the great finale of the future; our God rescues people right now! He brings the fatherless and the widow into His own family, and in His house of worship they find that they are not alone. Prisoners are granted their freedom in Him, but the rebellious who will not repent “dwell in a parched land.” They do not taste the waters of heaven. But we ask Him for the freshness of the Holy Spirit right now! He sent water down from the sky upon His thirsty Israel. Send us the Spirit now, O Lord, as we call out to you!

God has rescued us so fully in Jesus Christ. The news of His birth was first announced to shepherds. After his resurrection and ascension, the church was given the special charge to proclaim the good news of peace with God through the blood of Christ. This news was received by people. The Lord gave the word, and His chosen women who worship him night and day became a holy host, announcing that news everywhere. Like those who have been delivered from the violence of an occupying army, they could not help but rejoice in the glory of God.

We should see the victory of the Lord more clearly every day. He gives us gifts of the Spirit that are better than silver or gold. He scatters the foe who was prowling about like a roaring lion seeking to devour. We have an enemy who wanted to sift us as wheat until there was nothing left of us, but Christ has prayed for us. We are saved, and we have a mission to pursue by His grace.

Let the world deride or pity us, we will glory in the Name of the Lord. We are on a journey to the heavenly Jerusalem, together with all who have heard and received the joyful news of the kingdom of God. We are His radiant prisoners, going up the mountain of the Lord, following His ascended Son as those who are forever united to Him. He ascended on high, and we have ascended with Him.

The followers of Jesus are going where our Captain leads. We are in His train, not as those who are in chains against our will. We are singing and dancing in the praise of God. Those who will not bow the knee to the Lord Jesus think our joy strange, but we are headed toward our heavenly dwelling and we follow our Husband, the King.

We rejoice in the Lord, both Israel of old and the church of the Jewish Messiah throughout the earth. We want the Jerusalem that is above. Yes, there are tribulations and even enemies who would destroy us. But we call upon the Name of the Lord, and people all over the world stretch out their hands to God. All over the earth, the sound of singing voices rises up to heaven. And God speaks His Word from heaven; His voice is heard among men in the preaching of the Name of His Son. What power! What majesty over His people; over us! He gives us power to live and power to praise Him through Jesus today! Blessed be His Name forever and ever! Blessed be God!

Come now, my soul.

Look up.

Get up.

Worship and serve the Lord.

Follow Him.

The One who died for you is alive.

He is with you.