Fear Not – p.1 The Fear of Defeat Psalm 68

At Crosspoint we believe that a faithful representation of the Lord Jesus will always seek to alleviate, never to instill fear.At Crosspoint we believe that a faithful representation of the Lord Jesus will always seek to alleviate, never to instill fear.

The context of Psalm 68

The Ark of the Covenant was God’s presence among them.The Ark of the Covenant was God’s presence among them.

The context of Psalm 68 “God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!”

The context of Psalm 68 “Return Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel”. (Numbers 10:35-36)

The reason for Psalm 68 Whenever evil tries to embrace God chaos happens.Whenever evil tries to embrace God chaos happens.

The reason for Psalm 68

God wants His community to know Him.God wants His community to know Him.

God vaporized His enemies God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! (vv.1-2)

God gave the righteous a reason to celebrate But 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! (vv.3-4)

God demonstrated compassion in the midst of war 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. (vv.5-6)

God demonstrated His sovereignty and goodness O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel

God demonstrated His sovereignty and goodness Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; (vv.7-10)

God demonstrated His sovereignty and goodness The picture is that all creation crumbles and bows before the presence of the moving God.The picture is that all creation crumbles and bows before the presence of the moving God. your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. (v.10)your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. (v.10)

God conquered The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!” The women at home divide the spoil— though you men lie among the sheepfolds— “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!” The women at home divide the spoil— though you men lie among the sheepfolds—

God conquered the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold. When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon. (vv.11-14)

God delights in accomplishing His purposes through the least. O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever? (vv.15-16) Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever? (vv.15-16)

God receives honor from his enemies. The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. (vv.17-18)

God will save Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah (v.19) Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah (v.19)

God delivers from death Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. (v.20)

God will find every one who tried to hide But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways. The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan,

God will find every one who tried to hide I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.” (vv.21-23)

God will be worshiped by everyone Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary— the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines: “Bless God in the great congregation, the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”

God will be worshiped by everyone There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

God will be worshiped by everyone Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.

God will be worshiped by everyone Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war. Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. (vv.24-32)

God will be known as the only true God O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.

God will be known as the only true God Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from his sanctuary. (vv Awesome is God from his sanctuary. (vv.33-35

Bottom Line: Our God has declared victory; in our past, in our present and for our future!Our God has declared victory; in our past, in our present and for our future!

For those who have not yet living a Jesus-centered life You will only experience God’s best if you are willing to embrace the chaos of life transformation.You will only experience God’s best if you are willing to embrace the chaos of life transformation.

For those of you living a Jesus- centered life O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, SelahO God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. SelahBlessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, SelahO kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah

For those of you living a Jesus- centered life It is a reminder for us to recognize (Emmanuel) the presence of God among us is the same God who destroyed all His enemies.It is a reminder for us to recognize (Emmanuel) the presence of God among us is the same God who destroyed all His enemies.

For those of you living a Jesus- centered life The word invites us to…The word invites us to… Stop and thinkStop and think Make musicMake music PrayPray