Day 7 - Gifts From God
- Pastor b.Side
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even [from] the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell [there]. - Psalm 68:18
Why would God want to dwell with people like us? From His perspective, He is eternally perfect, holy, glorious, and great. We, on the other hand, are finite, corrupt, and profane. What’s in it for God? How does He benefit from any relationship with us? The truth of scripture explains that He doesn’t. He’s eternally sufficient within Himself. That’s what makes God’s love and the lengths He goes to express it so impossible to fully understand.
Psalm 68 is a psalm of praise to God and the favor He has shown to Israel. Among all the nations, the scriptures themselves teach that Israel is considered one of the worst! God’s own people. His special treasure. The apple of His eye. Yet, they are “stiff-necked” and prone to rebel even when they know better. Nevertheless, Psalm 68 testifies to the miracles God has performed and will continue to perform in order to fulfill His eternally unconditional promises to them, ultimately blessing the rest of His people through that work. Psalm 68:18 offers an incredible prophecy about the logistics of God’s work in accomplishing these amazing things.
“You have ascended on high…”
Psalm 68:18 says God ascended on high. If God is already supremely exalted, how did He ascend? This is a prophetic reference to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension! Jesus came into the world as God in the flesh. He descended from the glory of His throne in heaven, took the form of flesh, lived perfectly, and then died according to the will of the Father. Not only did He descend from heaven to Earth, but also from Earth to the grave. He rose from the dead on the third day as He promised and, a month later, ascended back to heaven in front of witnesses. Matthew 27:52 states that many others were raised from the dead, appearing in public after Jesus’ resurrection – proof that Jesus could lead people out of the captivity of death.
“You have received gifts among men…”
Why would God do all this? The next phrase helps explain. God received gifts among men, even from the rebellious. Isaiah 64:6 says that all our righteousness is like filthy rags to God. Why would God receive filthy rags from people, especially rebellious ones? We must remember the effects of Jesus’ death. His blood cleanses corrupted souls. Since Jesus proved He can take captive souls out of captivity, like God took Israel out of Egyptian captivity, God’s people are free. Free to do what? We are separated from the bondage of sin, death, and hell to give the gift of praise to God for the work He did to grant eternal life. What does God get out of all this? He should receive our gratitude through praise, just as the scriptures demonstrate the true people of God praising Him for the love He shows and the incomprehensibly dynamic way He shows it!
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, we thank You for the testimony of Your Word that demonstrates Your plans and purposes to save us are not a response to our faults. This is what You intended all along. You desire our gratitude and praise. We acknowledge that to do so, we need spiritual cleansing. We believe Jesus’ sacrifice purifies us. Since we have been equipped, help us to praise You and the work You have done as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to the extent You deserve, regardless of our circumstances. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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