Written by Allison Mckay
Let’s be honest… sometimes we can read through a passage of Scripture and be completely clueless as to what it really means. Psalm 68:1-10 is one of those passages for me.
But look at the next verse…
Psalm 68:11 “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.”
I used this verse in an AWANA Lesson with the Sparks age group (K-2nd Grade) to teach them about missions and share what I do in the ministry. And as I was teaching, I knew I wanted to study this verse out more so than I had before.
Those first 5 words are what got me: “The Lord gave the word:” So simple, yet SO much in just five words.
I’ve used this verse so many times in reference to the printing ministry the Lord has given me and seen so many others do the same. And while it applies, I believe there is so much more to this verse!
We find out more about the Word in the first few chapters of the Book of John.
John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:11-12 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The Lord gave the Word: when He gave us Jesus, His Son.
We see this further illustrated in toward the end of the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 19:11-13 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”
But it does not stop there, the Lord gave the Word preserved in print for us.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Psalm 12:6-7 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
Have you ever stopped to consider why?
Why is it SO important that God has given and preserved His Word?
There are MANY reasons, but we find ONE at the end of Psalm 68:11: “…great was the company of those that published it.”
Great: many, much, numerous, abundant, strong
Company: an army of soldiers
Published: to bear news, bear tidings, publish, preach, announce as good news
Seeing those words defined, doesn’t that make you want to be a part of that many, that army, determined to publish the Good News that God loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that we might know Him? Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day. That is the GOOD NEWS that each and every person who has ever lived should hear… but someone has to tell them!
Psalm 68:11 “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.”
How can we publish the Word today?
- Memorize and Recite Scripture
- Telling others about Jesus
- Sharing the Gospel
The more we love the Word, the more we will love the Word.
I love the story and example of Mary Magdalene. She literally witnessed the Gospel with her own eyes. She saw Jesus die, she saw His burial, and most of all… she saw Him resurrected!
She was there for all three.
She was the first to see Him alive!
She was the first to hear His voice after He rose again… He called her by name.
She was the first to be commissioned to share the Good News that He was alive.
She was the first to share the Gospel with His disciples.
The Word sent her to share the Word with others.
God could have chosen anyone, but He chose her, a woman, to be the first to share the Gospel with someone else.
If we truly love the Lord and His Word, we should have a desire to tell others about Him so that they can know Him too!
Someone’s eternity may depend on our obedience to follow Him
Give someone the Word today!