Day 9 - Consider The Source
- Pastor b.Side
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
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
It is often said, “Managers light a fire UNDER people, while leaders light a fire IN people.” This idea suggests that there are different ways to wield power, and some methods are more effective than others. Serving a leader who empowers others is better than having a manager constantly hovering over you. Reflect on how this principle relates to God. Psalm 68:35 shows that God has all authority but also gives strength to His people. God’s power and strength are so great that He has power to spare; instead of using it for Himself, He shares His power to help us for purposes meant to satisfy our souls.
“O God, [You are] more awesome…”
It’s important to recognize the power that God has. The text says that God is more “awesome” than His holy places. The Hebrew word translated as “awesome” is “yare.” This Hebrew word mainly relates to fear. While it can mean “awesome,” it has a much stronger meaning than our current use of the word. The Bible describes an intensity so great that we’d be frozen in awe if we experienced it. It brings about a level of reverence that can be frightening due to the glory or power being shown. God’s power is so different from our own nature and understanding that it can be scary – literally!
“Than Your holy places…”
This illustrates the immense power we must consider when acknowledging God’s greatness. God’s holy places carried great importance, and there were serious consequences for misconduct in those locations. Many people lost their lives for treating those places as if they were ordinary sites. According to the Bible, the place itself was not inherently holy; it was God’s presence that made it sacred. His presence sanctified the Tabernacle and the temple. Even the ground became holy when He visited Moses and later Joshua, despite being cursed by sin beforehand. God’s power is so dynamic that His presence can change the environment! His power is so transcendent that it transforms ordinary, worthless, and cursed things into holy objects that are pleasing to God. That kind of power can be intimidating, even though it is good.
“The God of Israel [is] He who gives…”
This is how God empowers. God gives strength and power to His people, and when you look at the history of His work in Israel, you can see how God changes their condition. The Apostle Peter wrote that God takes those who are “not a people” and makes them “the people of God.” God did this through the power of His calling and covenants with Israel, living with them in various ways until He became flesh and dwelt among them, full of grace and truth as Jesus Christ. Today, the power of God is shown through the omnipresence of His Spirit, living in the hearts of every true believer, where He provides the strength and power to deny the flesh and walk in the Holy Spirit. No one sacrifices of themselves to equip others as God sacrifices of Himself.
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, thank You for the strength and power You give, transforming our souls from dead to alive and our lives from worthless to pleasing in Your sight. Thank You for showing the depth of Your power and faithfulness through Your work with Israel. Help us remember that You are on our side, so we can serve Your purposes with joy and satisfaction in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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