Him Who Rides

“The righteous shall be glad;
    they shall exult before God;
    they shall be jubilant with joy!

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
    exult before him!
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
    is God in his holy habitation.
God settles the solitary in a home;
    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

O God, when you went out before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
    before God, the One of Sinai,
    before God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
    you restored your inheritance as it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
    in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy…

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord,
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!” Psalm 68:3-10,32-35

Our God is everywhere, very present and active. Underneath, overhead, and all around. He rides the deserts of our wandering, our wildernesses barren of hope and love, the whirlwinds of disruption, and the skies filled with stormclouds. He, above all, is watching, guiding, keeping. There is no place we wander, in mind or body, no place we try to flee, that our Lord is not there. (Numbers 3:14; Job 38:1; Psalm 46:1-3; 121:1-8; 139:7-12)

“There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
    who rides through the heavens to your help,
    through the skies in his majesty.” Deuteronomy 33:26

When others contend against us, He rides to bring aid, giving courage, words, resilience. In arid seasons of the heart, he rides with fresh rain, showering spiritual encouragement that soaks deep, refreshing the soul and reviving hope. In whirlwinds of world-dust that irritates our sight, He rides to bring relief, cleansing our eyes and restoring holy vision. In storms of pelting vitriol and anger that buffet with might and drench our vitality, He rides to shield the spirit, to comfort, and heal heart hurt. In the malaise of languishing, when we are spent and depleted, He rides to bring rest. This is the God of whom we sing, this is the God we exult.

Do we sense and trust Him as Father and Protector? Has He settled our anxious minds? Are we listening for Him to make the way before us as we march through confusion, not knowing otherwise where to go? Do we then follow His lead?

Do we drink in the rain He spills for us, and see new growth sprout? Do we soak in the love He showers, and revive with fresh confidence? Do we gratefully receive and implement the power and strength He gives to face daily foes of temptation, fear, shame, or argument? Are we looking up, and gathering all our cares and needs and joys in His sanctuary, and giving Him praise? (Romans 5:5)

My awesome Lord, who rides all through my life, may I ever be jubilant with joy and bless Your great name as You deserve.