The King Who Rides

‎Wednesday, ‎August ‎10, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Luke 12:6-7

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Memory verse: Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Today's reading: PSALM 79-80 ROMANS 11:1-18

The King Who Rides

Psalm 68:4 NIV

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,

extol him who rides on the clouds;

rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.

This is for the encouragement of those who want to study 'a little' more of the word of God.

As I read Psalm 68 the fourth verse jumped out at me. (The translation I am recording at present is the International Children's Bible which I do recommend because of its simplicity and straight-forward form.)

Most translations say, "to Him who rides the clouds" as does the New International version above. But the ICB says,

"Him who rides through the desert."

If you ever run across something like this, try this: Go to a site called Bible Hub. Above the scripture there is a line of abbreviations and in that line you will see 'Interl' that stands for interlinear. This breaks down the verse one word at a time in order of its appearing in the original. Above each word is the greek word and above that a part of speech, etc.

Hold your cursor on the part of speech above the word and a box will appear with a definition. When you do this with Psalm 68:4, for example and hold above the world translated clouds, you will see the word translates 'desert, steppe, wilderness...'

Some of the commentaries say this 'rides' means 'on a horse' as a commander or king. Some say this refers to the space between the seraphim on top of the ark of the covenant of God as He was carried by the children of Israel across the wilderness. In any case, God, in all His glory, rides above where the people walk.

When the children of Israel walked out of Egypt, they numbered in the few millions. They walked into the desert wilderness-into one of the most desolate and inhospitable environs on planet earth. No food or water for them or their countless herds. In other words they were in the worst place of their existence. He 'who rode above the desert' could not be touched by the environment. He fed the people manna from Heaven and quail uncountable. He produced water from different places. In all the people were sustained from nowhere else but the hand of the 'one who rides above'.

What does it prophet us to do a study like this? How often have you found yourself in a place that you thought was the 'worst place of my life'? Surely, these bad spots in our lives left us with lessons learned and strength developed-but-we are still here-stronger and more experienced. The one 'who rides above' has delivered us so:

"in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan.29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28,29

Our glorious God rides above it all. If we are faithful and:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6,7

He will deliver us from whatever the world can throw at us. If we are overcomers,

"To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it" (Revelation 2:17)

Our God's supply never runs out. He never leaves us. He will supply all our needs.

Philippians 4:19 ►And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Want to dig a little deeper. Then dig. Read and learn. Ask God. Knock and the door will be opened.(Matthew 7:7) He who rides above the desert will fail none who seek Him.

Why?

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I am lethargic and lazy. Forgive me, Holy God. Give me a greater hunger to dig into Your word.

God of all wisdom and understanding,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen