Strength and Power to His People

"O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!" 

Psalm 68:35

The irony of this verse struck me afresh this week.  It is unthinkable for a king to freely give of his wealth to his people.  In the days when kings ruled over the kingdoms of the earth, they possessed resources that eclipsed the resources of their subjects.  They had the power to demand taxes of goods and gold, gathered military might, and dwelt in safe strongholds.  Kings had the ability to write laws and enforce justice.  But all kings of the earth have one thing in common despite their differences:  their reign had a beginning and an end.  There were limits to their wealth, power, and glory.  A king only had so much food in his storehouses or gold in his treasury.  He could not give away his wealth or power freely because he only had so much.  If he weakened himself greatly, someone else with eyes on the crown could easily displace him.

God is the Creator and King of all that has been made.  All His resources, power, and strength are limitless.  He gives strength and power to His people from infinite stores.  Instead of being weakened by His gracious, generous giving, God increases His glory, influence, and power upon the world through weak human vessels.  God does not withhold goodness from His people because of fear His crown or kingdom is in jeopardy:  in giving strength and power to His people He further establishes His rule among the nations.  In His generosity and grace we see the awesomeness of God revealed.  The more God's people receive, the more God is glorified.

The example of the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS teaches us to love, extend grace, and give liberally to others as Jesus Christ has given unto us.  God faithfully supplies the needs of His people not so they can become rich and live as kings on earth, but so we might glorify our king through loving others as He has loved us.  We need not fear because He has promised to supply all our needs.  Philippians 4:19 reads, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Instead of worrying about what we don't have, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us by God's grace.

Kings have built enormous castles at great cost to proclaim and protect their great wealth.  Elaborate and exquisite places of worship have been constructed for the worship of God.  But God is more awesome than any work of man's hands; He is more awesome than the temple built by King Solomon where God placed His name.  God is more awesome than the Christians He indwells who are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He is the one who gives strength and power to His people.  Our response?  Praise and bless the name of our LORD, Jesus Christ!  Glorify His name throughout the earth!  Give love, grace, and mercy to all as He gives, for God loves a cheerful giver.