This King Is Mighty
“Yahweh, mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8b
I’m starting a new practice here at the website: each Monday I’ll post a portion of the previous day’s preaching ministry. Most often, it will likely be my favorite bit. Which means it’ll be the bit that most impacted me in my preparation.
Yesterday, the Scripture I was preaching was Psalm 24, and I loved its revelation that our God, Yahweh, is strong and mighty, mighty in battle. Here’s how I proclaimed it. I pray it blesses you, as it did me.
The chances are pretty good that the reason for this Psalm/Song is the arrival of the ark of the covenant at the gates of the city after David and his troops had enjoyed a victory over their enemies. And here’s the thing about the ark of Yahweh: when it arrived, it was just as if Yahweh had arrived.
The King of Glory has arrived.
And the King of Glory is coming in.
And who is this King of Glory?
It is Yahweh, strong and mighty, it is Yahweh, mighty in battle, it is Yahweh of Heaven’s armies, the commander-in-chief of Angel armies, he is the King of Glory!
To which the average person might say, “So what? What does that have to do with me? Why should I care about this King, now, or ever?”
Listen, friends, we all know that life is combat and conflict. We are up against none other than the prince of darkness, who has an army of darkness at his disposal, and allies like the world and our own sinful flesh. So it should come as no surprise that we get “bloodied up and beaten up.”
And as Dale Ralph Davis notes:
“How heartening to know that through all the years Yahweh has never ceased to be a warrior (Ex15:3). The glorious King is, of course, glorious in all our circumstances, be they afflictions, conflicts, or routines. But his being ‘mighty in battle’ shows how his nature is adapted to our needs, for that description tells us Yahweh is not only the God of the sanctuary but of the field, not merely the God of the shrine but of the marketplace, not only the God of the church but of the foxhole. I plead with you not to allow those who only want to speak of a ‘Jesus-meek-and-mild’ to rob you of the manly, virile comfort of having a God who is mighty in battle. Jesus — the forever King foretold to David — is the King of Glory for whom we must be ready to come again, for he is coming again, as a warrior, at the last (Rev19:11-21). And, thankfully, how often he also comes in the midst of our current troubles to bash to bits the fetters of the enemy and to take up weapons for his weary and crushed people. You have no comfort if the King is a wimp who reeks of hand cream; you only have solace if he is your Defender in the thick of war.”
Let’s GO! You may be here this morning at the coming of the King with downcast head…Let’s lift up our heads! Your heart may be closed to Yahweh strong and mighty…let’s throw open the gates of our minds and hearts, to let this vision of the King of Glory come in! The Father and Son and Spirit are the Royal Family — strong, and mighty, and leading an angelic army of billions — fighting for us.
Make ready for the King!
