Psalm 68:15-19 NLT
“The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky.
Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever?
Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary.
When you ascend to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you.
Now the Lord will live among us there.”
As I studied these verses, I discovered the Mountains of Bashan were tall, mighty, craggy, and majestic compared to Mount Zion, a low barren little hill.
Why then did such height and strength look with envy at the little mound of dirt and sand. Why because God chose Jerusalem, that little mound of dirt and sand to dwell in! Bashan was shall we say, indignant! Bashan resembled mankind!
Isn’t that just like God though? We see it repeated throughout the Old and New Testaments. God/Jesus chooses the unlikely, the weakest, the unnoticed or accused to show his strength, protection, and unjudgemental love! We as Christians often resemble the small mounds living among giant mountains. We don’t walk as the world walks, we don’t see as the world sees. Take Mother Teresa, for example; there wasn’t a more significant, stronger, more noblewoman than she, yet she lived in a hut in India, not a mansion in Belair! She served the poor and forgotten, not the rich and famous.
Thousands of Chariots! Ancient Israel, by God’s command, never had many chariots. They were and still are protected by God, who has greater power than thousands upon thousands of chariots.
The Lord is faithful to Israel and he is just as faithful to us, his children. As with Israel, we may have battle after battle. I suggest you pray and make sure one the war is yours to fight, and if yes, be sure to go to prepared and protected in the Lord’s armor! (Ephesians 6:11)
Ascend to the heights, take captivity, receive gifts…there are two thoughts and teachings regarding this verse…in the Old Testament, David was assumed to be writing of the many victories God gave him in battles. The captives who were taken and used for slave labor, the gifts would possibly be plunder but also treasures provided by neighboring nations as treaties of peace.
The second thought being, prophetic as the Apostle Paul quoted This section of verse In Ephesians 4:8 … When He ascended on high, speaking of Jesus rising from death and ascending into heaven, taking with him those captives of heart and spirit who believe and believed his message; the gifts being the Gift of the Holy Spirit to his church.
Now the Lord will live among us there! The Lord has always been with Israel and always will be; this means yesterday…right now and forever!
Jesus our Lord dwells within us, today, tomorrow and forever!
Does your world feel like Israel right now, are you being attacked? Does your life feel like a battle, does your home resemble a war zone? Do as the wise ancient kings did, consult the Lord, ask for direction, talk to your minister or a friend who can direct you in the ways of the Lord. When you take him with you, wherever you go! You go with the angels and chariots at your disposal! Who can beat that?
Be blessed today and thank you for joining me. 🥰
Sunshine On My Shoulder 