Psalm 68:1-3 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 May you blow them away like smoke – as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
Psalm 68 begins with God arising and going before His people. Its language reaches back to Israel’s wilderness journey, when Moses prayed as the ark moved forward, “Arise, Lord! May your enemies be scattered” (Numbers 10:35). Israel didn’t advance alone. The presence of God went before them. That’s a wonderfully important truth for the Church in mission. We sometimes speak as though we’re taking God into places where He’s absent. Scripture turns that thinking around. God is already at work. Mission begins not with our plans, programmes or resources, but with the living God who goes before His people. The opposition described here is real. Smoke and melting wax remind us that there are powers which resist God’s good purposes. Today these may be seen wherever sin brings injustice, fear, exploitation, broken relationships or hopelessness. Yet the Psalm reminds us that none of these has the final word. Before the presence of God, even what appears immovable cannot ultimately stand. This gives Christian mission both confidence and humility. Confidence, because the future of God’s kingdom doesn’t depend upon us. Humility, because we’re not the architects of His kingdom either. We’re invited to discern where God’s working and faithfully join Him there. And what should mark such mission? Verse 3 gives us a beautiful answer: gladness and joy in God’s presence. So let us go prayerfully and faithfully; serving others, proclaiming Christ and trusting God. Mission is His; He goes before us. Our calling is to follow. SAMS Ireland.
