Day 10 - Cloud Surfing

The Creator - The Light of the World - The God of Israel

Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. - Psalm 68:4

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The Bible is filled with commands to praise God. In fact, one of the most offensive issues to God is that people don’t praise Him to the extent He deserves, if we praise Him at all. How do we resolve this issue? The more we know about God’s glory, the more our hearts connect with His, stirring the attitude of praise from within.

“Sing to God…”

There is no other god besides the God of the Bible. He sits on His throne in the heavens, above all angels, demons, nations, armies, and individuals. God doesn’t contend for power or control. His authority comes to Him effortlessly. Everything depends on God's ability to exist and function. That is true whether people agree with it or not.

“Sing praises to His name…”

This is why God is supremely exalted above all things in heaven and on earth. He doesn’t strive or contend with anyone for His glory or power. He is not threatened by anyone or anything. He is YAHWEH, the God of glory who uniquely connected Himself to the world through His covenants with Israel. With all the glory He possesses within Himself, He didn’t have to associate with us the way His Word says, but He did…

“Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH…”

This is why the Psalms command God’s people to sing praises to Him. Our praises don’t exalt God. He’s already supremely exalted. He lifts Himself up by the power of His glory to a degree far beyond our comprehension. The text says that God “rides the clouds.” Can you comprehend that? Yet, the supremely exalted God of glory condescended Himself for our benefit and, through that condescension, exalted Himself even further! Who can really understand that?

“Rejoice before Him…”

We should consider it a privilege to sing to God. We should be humbled by the opportunity to know God and speak positively about Him through the testimony of His Word. It shouldn’t feel like a burden. The One who rides the clouds has invited us to know Him, fellowship with Him, and be blessed by Him. He is worthy of the praises and gratitude that scripture demands.        

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Prayer for today

Our Father in heaven, we can’t pretend to understand everything about who You are. You said that You ride the clouds. We fall short of Your glory and don’t deserve to know You. Still, You have revealed the truth of Your name. Thank You! Forgive us when we let our circumstances affect our mood, preventing us from praising You as You deserve. Help us remember the joy we should have for the work You’ve done through the power of Your supremely exalted glory to deliver us from sin, death, and hell. We pray these things in Jesus’ name – the object of our praise. Amen.