Read Psalm 68:7-18
Here David describes the victories of God. "You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men" (v. 18). This is a picture of our Lord's ascension. We find this verse quoted in the New Testament, referring to Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:8).
Look at what Jesus has performed for us. First, He went before us. "O God, when You went out before Your people" (v. 7). Wherever you are today, if you're in the will of God, He has already gone before you. The picture here is of the nation of Israel going through the wilderness. God didn't expect the Israelites to figure out the logistics for themselves. By night He led them by a pillar of fire and by day by a cloud. The Ark of the Covenant--the presence of the Lord--went before them. He also went before us and bore our sins on the cross.
Second, He has gone above us. "You have ascended on high" (v. 18). The Lord Jesus has ascended to glory, and He is seated there at the right hand of the Father in majesty. He who went before us to win the victory has now gone above us to share the victory.
Now He dwells among us. Notice the end of verse 18: "That the Lord God might dwell there." And what is He doing? He is giving gifts to His people. It's a picture of the Conqueror distributing the spoil. How wealthy we are! How much we have to thank Him for. Will you trust the Victor today?
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Because of Christ's death and Resurrection, you are wealthy. God freely shares with you the spoils of His victory at the cross. You need never be defeated in this life.
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