Perhaps, if I think about it, I’m probably pre-disposed at times to thinking that, in a sense, God has a desk job. That, in my mind’s eye, when I imagine God I most often imagine Him enthroned in heaven . . . seated, like a James T. Kirk captaining the Star Trek Enterprise, controlling everything from His central place in heaven . . . speaking things into being and commanding things to “be so” from the bridge. Sovereign . . . yet somewhat sedentary. But this morning I’m reminded that my God is an active God . . . my God is an engaged God . . . my God, far from just being seated on high, is a God who also rides the heavens.

There is none like God, O Jeshurun, Who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.   (Deuteronomy 33:26-27a ESV)

Moses is wrapping it up . . . literally. One last blessing upon Jeshurun, a poetic name for Israel, meaning “upright one” . . . describing her ideal state rather than her “I know better” reality. And in this final blessing there is a wonderful picture painted of the One who is the source of the blessing . . . the One who fulfills the promise . . . the One who covenants to never forsake them . . . He is the One who rides through the heavens to be their help.

It paints a picture for me this morning. Riding through the heavens . . . mounted and galloping through the skies . . . robed in majestic glory . . . all for the purpose of helping a flakey and feeble people to enter into a really big inheritance. Far from passively engaging with His people through some sort of heavenly remote control device, He enters into the fray with those called of His affection. To be sure, all that is needed is the utterance of His voice . . . but in His grace, He descends to provide His presence, as well.

Of course I know this . . . can any one say, “Immanuel!” He is God with us . . . leaving the glory of heaven and coming in flesh that He might enter our battlefield and secure the victory . . . disarming the rulers and authorities . . . putting them to open shame . . . triumphing over them in Christ . . . canceling the record of debts that stood against us . . . nailing it to the cross (Col. 2:14-15).

I read it in Matthew this morning, as well, . . . “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples . . . And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20). Not, “I’ll be watching you always” . . . not, “I’ll be intervening from on high for you always” . . . but I will be with you . . . I will ride the heavens . . . I will cross the skies . . . that I might be draw alongside You. It’s the active agency of the Holy Spirit . . . Who, far from staying home in heaven, dwells on earth . . . within every believer . . . the eternal God dwelling in our midst . . . the eternal God being our dwelling place . . . the Majestic Sovereign undergirding us with everlasting arms.

Words aren’t conveying the wonder I’m feeling as I think about my God riding through the heavens to be my help.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear . . . Be still, and know that I am God . . .   (Psalm 46:1-2, 10 ESV)

My God reigns in heaven . . . my God also rides in the skies . . . O’ be still my soul . . . and behold thy God!