May 24, 2017

Scripture: Psalm 68:1–10

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Easter Season, one more Sunday to celebrate the acts of salvation. Psalm 68 records the salvation story of Israel for worship, much as our liturgical seasons record and retell the story of our salvation in Jesus. The impact of this psalm is such that it causes us to consider God’s work of salvation and to worship him for it.

Teaching

Psalm 68 has an interesting characteristic in that it acts as a sort of liturgy for the worship of the Israelites. A note in the Lutheran Study Bible states, “Psalm [68] seems to be an ‘order of service’ for a procession at the Jerusalem temple (or the tabernacle). Parts of the psalm use imagery similar to that used by the Canaanites when describing their god Baal, which is ironic because the psalm describes the defeat of Canaanite kings [in verses 11-14].’”[1]

Part of the work of God’s people is to retell his deeds; to recount the works of his salvation. Just as this psalm recounts the salvation of Israel, the church recounts Christ’s work of salvation in the first half of the church year, retelling his story from his incarnation and birth, through his ministry, to his death, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven. The purpose of this constant retelling is twofold: for believers the message (which is the Word of God) strengthens our faith and holds us in God’s forgiveness, for those who do not believe this message is an invitation to believe and bears within it the power to create faith in people.

Life

In Acts 1:12-26 we read of the Apostles assuring that the ministry of proclaiming God’s Word continued. In John 17:1-11 Jesus spoke of delivering his Father’s Word to his disciples. Here again we find that the priority of God’s people is to speak God’s Word and to tell of all he has done to save us. This is our priority and privilege. God includes us in the great chain of his servants who share the hope of our God who saves.

Retelling and rereading God’s Word is important for us. When we remember all that God has done to save us it helps us be confident of God’s forgiveness and salvation for us. It also helps us resist temptation and live faithfully, because the very salvation we remember is the power of God at work in our lives.

Prayer

Use Psalm 68:1-11 to guide your prayer today. Pray that the Holy Spirit would help you rejoice in God’s salvation. Pray that you would grow in your knowledge and understanding of God’s Word making you bold to recall and retell the story of Jesus’ salvation as he gives you opportunity.



[1] Lutheran Study Bible, p. 910

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