Read Psalm 68:24-31. 24Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—25the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines: 26“Bless God in the great congregation, the Lord, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!” 27There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 28Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. 29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. 30Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
You may recall that Psalm 68 is a processional psalm to be sung as the ark of the covenant was on the move. Here the psalmist describes the order of the procession from the singers and the musicians surrounded by the tambourine players, to the tribes of Israel themselves, and finally the gentile kings bearing gifts to God in the temple.
This prophecy has yet to be fulfilled physically at a temple in Jerusalem. But the spiritual fulfilment of these stanzas can be seen in the church of Christ.
The sacrifice of praise, the children of Abraham’s faith, worshipers from all nations gathered together because they have been trampled by God’s love as seen in the cross of Jesus. The worship of Christ, by our union with Christ, unites all mankind in the living temple of the body of Christ.
Do you regularly join in this procession? If not, why not?
To live is Christ is to join the everlasting procession that will, one day, lead us from the spiritual presence of Christ to the physical presence of Christ where we will crown him lord of all.
You: Do you join in the processional worship of Christ through the church?
You in Christ: Do you see your union with Christ as God’s power in you? How can you live today as if you have this power in you?
Christ in you: How can joining in the spiritual procession (church) be a preview for you of what is to come one day in Heaven?
Prayer. Jesus, lead me joyfully in the procession of your people into your presence. Amen.
To Live is Christ 