Ruling Power

The sovereign rejoices in Your strength, O YHWH; and how greatly he exults in Your deliverance! Psalm 21:1 (Institute of Scripture Research)

In Your strength – Politicians of all flavors seem to think of themselves as royalty.  They act as if they hold exalted offices, exempting them from common decency (and common sense).  In contrast, a brief glance at the Psalms shows us why David was an exalted king while many others fell under God’s judgment.  Our officials are supposed to be representatives of the people, elected to serve.  Ancient kings were never elected and rarely served the people.  They followed their own agendas.  If anyone were in a position to glory in his own strength, it would have been a king.  In fact, many kings claimed “divine right” and supernatural birth.  We are fortunate that no one in Washington has asserted his or her divinity (so far).  But notice David’s perspective.  David, Israel’s greatest king, a conqueror without equal in the history of Israel, rejoices be-oozka.  David exults in YHWH’s strength.  He knows that he is king only because God wills it so, and he recognizes that he remains king only because God lifts him up.  David serves the Lord first.  That orientation makes all the difference.

You should have no trouble learning the Hebrew “in Your strength.”  It sounds a lot like the military weapon “bazooka.”  With a little dyslexia on the middle syllable, we could imagine that God’s strength is our weapon.  Let’s just pretend the words are related.  Our power, our bazookas, come from be-oozka.

The Hebrew root is ‘oz.  Forty-four of its ninety-four occurrences are in the Psalms.  While it is usually translated “strength” or “power,” it also means “refuge” and is often connected to ma’oz (see Oct 2, 2006 TW).  God is the tower of refuge, the strength of the righteous, the power of His people.  His role as ‘ezer guarantees that His people will always be an object of His concern.  No matter what the circumstances of life, no matter what consequences befall the faithful, we may rejoice be-oozka.  We serve a God who is the real King – King of the universe.  There is no equal, no rival, no usurper to His throne.  Rejoice.  Be glad.  His favor is the greatest reward.  Sing the praises of El Shaddai, the Almighty.  Be confident and consoled.  If David, the king, can greatly exult in the power of the Lord, how much more can we, His ordinary followers.

When we reflect on God’s sovereignty, we may be led to theological considerations.  But the doctrinal theories are often anemic when we compare them to the experience of God’s power.  Imagine the experience of crossing the Red Sea or witnessing the descent of the Lord on Sinai.  Imagine the experience of Jericho falling or the fire consuming the altar of Elijah.  Imagine coming to the empty tomb.  Put yourself in those places.  Feel the water move, the wind blow, the trumpet sound, the heat lick up the stones.  This is God’s hand of power.  Who can stand before your God?  Rejoice!

Topical Index:  strength, ‘oz, be-oozka, power, Psalm 21:1

A CALL FOR HELP

In April I will be speaking at a conference in Puerto Rico.  The Spanish edition of Guardian Angel would be enormously important for this event.  Bessy is translating and will be done by March, but WE NEED A PROOF READER in Spanish who can proof the document no later than March 15.  If you are this person, please let me know.  Thanks.

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