Psalm 47 celebrates two characteristic acts of God: ascending and subduing. In the context of worldly power these terms have strong negative connotations. Indeed, in this context, these ideas seem to indicate the destruction of nations. The vision of the psalm, however, looks beyond this. While God promises to destroy evil, destruction is not the goal of God’s rule. The outcome of his rule is one of liberation and empowerment. There have been many cases in world history where conquering armies actually liberated the conquered people from a tyrannical rule. God’s conquest of the world, and of our lives, is this sort of conquest. God comes to us, not as a destroyer, but as a liberator. And yet many battles may be necessary: battles with our defences, battles against the lies that we harbour and battles against the idols we hold on to. At times, in the process, you may feel that your heart is a warzone. And, in one sense, it is. But here is the good news: the winning army has taken charge. God has ascended over your life and he is subduing the tyrannical elements within you by his Holy Spirit. Let us therefore surrender ourselves to God. Let’s surrender every street, courtyard and room of our hearts and come down from our battlements and towers. Let’s surrender ourselves to God, wholesale, just as ancient peoples surrendered walled cities to foreign invaders. God will only destroy what is false and what undermines us. He comes to build us up and prosper us. Let’s submit to God’s rule of peace.
Thank God for what he is doing in your life.
Read Psalm 47
