Echoes From the Campfire

It isn’t a place that makes you happy or unhappy. It’s the people you love, and who love you.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (How the West Was Won)

       “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

                    –Romans 9:26 (NKJV)
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Today we finish off Psalm 68, and it will be our last look at the Psalms until 2022.  Can you believe that?  The year is almost gone, on the horizon is the dawning of a new year, but that’s another “Echo.”  Someone has said that the end of Psalm 68 speaks of the “Psalmist’s View of the World.”   “There in the foreground is the Temple, inhabited by the God of Israel.  The kings of all the other nations are coming to pay tribute to the Lord in Jerusalem.  Egyptians and Ethiopians come from afar to bow before him offering their gifts.  The mighty nations of the world fade into the background because the Lord is the ruler of all, and he lives right here among his people.” (William Petersen)  Get that image in your mind as you read the rest of the Psalms.
 
          27 — There is little Benjamin, their leader, the princes of Judah and their company, the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.
          28 — Your God has commanded your strength; strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
          29 — Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to You.
          30 — Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver.  Scatter the peoples who delight in war.
          31 — Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.
          32 — Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord.    Selah
          33 — To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!  Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
          34 — Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds.
          35 — O God, You are more awesome than Your hold places.  The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.   Blessed be God!  (NKJV)

       We see a mighty victory procession.  The war is over, not just the battle.  Could it allude to Armageddon when Christ will come and rule from Jerusalem?  Could very well be.  There is praise, there is tribute, there is recognition to the Lord, the God of gods.  All will submit to Him.
       As we go through life it is important not to only look at the immediate but remember the whole of life.  Eternity must be kept in view.  Through the midst of sorrows, problems, and difficulties our eyes should not be focused on them but on the Lord.  Never forget, He has the last word, therefore, walk through life keeping that last phrase etched in your mind and heart–“Blessed be God!”

                    “The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high;
                    ‘Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!’ they ever cry.
                    Hail Abraham’s God and mine!  With heaven our songs we raise;
                    All might and majesty are thine, and endless praise.”
                                      –Thomas Olivers