TO CHEW ON: "The Lord gave the word;
Great was the company of those who proclaimed it." Psalm 68:11
Some verses in the Bible remind me of icebergs—relatively small and seemingly simple. But below the surface they are huge. Psalm 68:11 is one such verse.
It seems a little out of place, sandwiched between words of praise to God and a poetic description of battle. It feels almost like David's thoughts in parenthesis—an aside:
"The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it."
What word?
We may think of creation. The Genesis account is that—God creating with words: "Then God said 'Let there be light …' Then God said, 'Let there be a firmament…' Then God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered…'" Genesis 1 3,6,9.
Paul writes to the Romans about how this creation communicates or spreads the word about God: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and God head" - Romans 1:20.
But there's more. For word also brings to mind the beautiful passage in John 1 that links creation with Jesus God's Son: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. … All things were made through Him. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" - John 1:1,3,14.
So aspects of word are God's creation and Jesus (including all that He did and is)—two ways we come to know God. They are proclaimed by a company.
Who is that company?
- It is the hosts of heaven—the stars, planets, black holes, galaxies, nebulae - Psalm 33:6.
- It is the hosts of earth - Genesis 2:1.
- It was Israel's leaders like Moses - Numbers 11:24.
- It was individuals like the prophets and apostles - Ezekiel 2:7; Acts 18:9.
- It was a couple of disciples set free from prison by angels - Acts 5:20.
- It was bands of persecuted Christians - Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 4:9.10.
- It was ministers in training - Titus 2:15
- Someday it will be the armies of heaven - Revelation 19:11-14.
- And today it is us, communicating the gospel using the written word (Bible) and our words - Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14; Acts 1:8.
I ask myself, am I being faithful as part of that company of proclaimers? Are you?
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the word—Your creative power, Jesus the Word come in the flesh, the words of good news that His life accomplished as recorded in the Bible. Help me to be faithful as part of the company who proclaims this word. Amen.
PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 68
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
