Psalms 68 - 72

68:27 - The last shall be first...sound familiar?

68:32-33 - I love this description of God...it reminds me a lot of C.S. Lewis' descriptions of Aslan in the Narnia series. "He rides in the ancient heavens." I just think about Aslan powerfully/effortlessly bounding across the expanse of the newly created Narnia in The Magician's Nephew. The evil witch tries to kill him by throwing an iron bar at him, but when it hits him in the head he doesn't even pause his run...evil is powerless before him! "He sends out His mighty voice." Aslan sings the world into creation with a voice of such beauty and power that all present finally understand what life and hope really feel like (Except the witch and the magician - they are absolutely terrified!)

69:9 - This is the verse that is quoted as prophetic when Jesus drives the money-changers from the temple. This verse carries such responsibility and weight. David says, "zeal for your house consumes me." He lives to defend the honor of God's name and to bring Him glory. Is this a description of my life? Yours? What do we need to do to have this holy obsession with the kingdom of God?

69:13 - I really like the attitude of the psalmist in this verse...God, when you decide to act I know it will be the right time...I will trust in your faithfulness and wait for your answer. Great picture of trust and respect for God's sovereignty.

69:33 - God always hears the cries of the needy. They are not forgotten...they are not ignored. As followers of God, we should pay more attention to the poor - we may be God's plan for bringing them hope.

70:4 - Sounds like a great bendiction...may those who seek you rejoice and may those who love your salvation proclaim - God is great!

71:14 - Over and over in the psalms we see that this is the answer to dealing with difficult times. If enemies are against you, your world is falling apart, sin is destroying your life, etc...you must continue to place your hope in God alone and you must continue to priase His holy name.

72:12-14 - When you see the word "for" at the beginning of the verse, you know that what has just come before plays a role in the verses that come after. In verses 8-11 the psalmist hopes that the king will be honored by surrounding peoples and rulers...why? Because of what comes in verses 12-14...because he is a compassionate ruler and defender of the oppressed. These are the keys to godly leadership. Maybe people from both ends of the political spectrum should take notice of what honorable leadership really looks like.