That God has always had His enemies is clear from the beginning. That those who oppose Him should oppose His people is attested to throughout history. But that God is also a warrior is just as clear. Though He is gracious and longsuffering toward men, when it is time to do battle He will enter the fray . . . and He will always emerge victorious. And, as the people who rest under His banner, we are to arise and exult Him who does battle on our behalf . . . we are to lift our voices to Him who leads His people in triumphant procession . . . we are to ascribe power and majesty to Him who is the victor . . . we are to sing praises to Him who rides.

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!
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.     (Psalm 68:4, 32-33 ESV)

As I read this psalm this morning what catches my attention is that my God rides. He rides through the deserts . . . He rides in the heavens. And what am I do with a God who rides? Sing to God . . . sing praises to Him . . . exult His name . . . and listen for His mighty voice.

It is the image of a victor. A conquering warrior mounted upon a mighty steed. He is the one in the front of the parade. Behind Him are those He has led into battle . . . enjoying the spoils of victory. Behind Him are a host of captives following in His train . . . those who have bowed to His might . . . those who attest to His glory. And the Victor, surrounded by a throng of His people, is to be praised.

And it’s the contrast that grabs me. He rides through the deserts . . . He rides in the heavens. That He rides in the heavens is no surprise . . . He is the King of Heaven . . . He is the One seated upon the throne . . . there, the glory is visible . . . the victory is tangible . . . the majesty is unavoidable. That He rides in the desert, though perhaps not a surprise, is certainly a reason to pause in wonder and worship.

That He who inhabits the heavens would choose to descend in order to ride through the wilderness is awe-invoking. That He, whose domain is that of the worlds from which the universe was created, would touch down on this earth is amazing . . . that He would do so in order to redeem and lead out a people for Himself is beyond amazing. My God rides through the deserts . . . drawing to Himself those who are thirsty and beat up by the elements . . . leading those who, by faith, have entrusted themselves to following the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night . . . saving those who have bowed to Him from the harsh wilderness realities . . . blessing those who, by His grace, seek to follow Him with living water . . . able to satisfy all their needs.

Blessed be the Lord,
     who daily bears us up;
     God is our salvation. Selah
Our God is a God of salvation,
     and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
                                                                          (Psalm 68:19-20 ESV)

My God rides . . . as Deliverer from the desert . . . as Victor in the heavens. And mine is to pause long enough to consider such things . . . to meditate enough so that such things might seize my heart afresh . . . and to respond to such things with songs of praise.

To Him who rides be all glory! Amen?