Visionary Leadership (4)
O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God! Psalm 68.35
A magnificent temple
It’s interesting to speculate about how David communicated his vision for the temple to the people of Israel. We know that he had written plans and diagrams which were approved by God Himself (1 Chron. 28.19). Were these copied and sent around to all the villages, towns, and cities of Israel? Were local leaders brought to Jerusalem to hear the plans and perhaps see a mock-up?
He must have done some things like this, for he managed to generate an overwhelming response from the people in terms of time, treasure, talent, resources, and strength for the project. Visionary leaders understand that vision has to be communicated, clarified, and communicated again and again if it’s to have the effect of moving people to respond.
At the very least we know this: David wrote Psalm 68 and put it to work in the worship of God. It may well have been that the psalm was used at large national worship events, such as the feast days of Israel. But it may also have found its way back to local communities and families, where the people would certainly have been struck with the many benefits associated with God’s coming to dwell in His temple.
For this is the thrust and celebration of Psalm 68: God, Vanquisher of nations, He Who is more glorious even than His magnificent temple, is coming to dwell among His people. Let the people prepare and the nations beware.
The blessings of God’s Presence
God was coming to dwell among His people in glory. This is the heart of God’s covenant: “I will be Your God, and You will be My people, and I will show you My glory.” The building of the temple meant that God was establishing His Presence among His people, not in a threadbare tabernacle that, by David’s day, must have been in need of continual repair, but in a glorious structure of beauty, majesty, and imposing dignity and power.
When God came to dwell among His people, He would distribute the blessings and benefits of salvation liberally, meeting all the needs of His people and causing them to prosper in every way (vv. 18-20).
Further, all the enemies of Israel would be subdued and scattered, and the people would dwell in peace. The people of Israel would begin to enjoy all the promises of God’s covenant in greater measure, because He was coming to dwell with them. All His people would have access to Him, to bring with grateful hearts their gifts to Him Who gifted them so lavishly in all their ways.
Lord of the nations
David also assured the people that the nations surrounding Israel, their historic and often vicious enemies, would come under the rule and jurisdiction of God Himself.
It must have been a matter of some consternation for Israelites to ponder David’s passing. He had been such a powerful king, and had subdued so many of their enemies. Now Israel maintained outposts among their enemies as far away as Damascus, and David promised that God would ensure that the enemies of His people would no longer threaten their peace (vv. 28-32).
Indeed, so glorious would be the Presence of God in His temple that the nations of the earth would bring gifts to Him, and come to Him seeking wisdom to rule their own peoples according to the wisdom and glory of God. We see this promise being fulfilled in detail during the years of Solomon’s reign after the temple had been finished (cf. 1 Kgs. 10).
And the nations would know that, as glorious and splendid as was the temple the people had constructed for their God, God Himself was immeasurably greater, more powerful, more glorious than even this structure suggested (v. 35). The strength and power of God, to which the temple bore witness, He would give to His people to continue and extend His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (v. 35).
Thus the people were encouraged that taking up the work of this temple was a double blessing. God would be glorified and worshiped, even by pagan kings and peoples. And they would know the fullness of His blessing and Presence with them, in prosperity and peace.
Jesus intends His Church to be a blessing to the world—His temple and a source of beauty and joy (Eph. 2.19-22; Ps. 48.13), and the light of the world, salt of the earth, and leaven of grace and truth in a sin-withered world. As Christ comes to dwell with His people, in the Person of His Holy Spirit, we should expect great blessings and abundant honor to redound to our King and God, and nations streaming up to the mountain of the Lord’s house to learn of Him (Mic. 4.1-8).
Visionary leaders know that Christ intends great designs for His Church. He has written those designs in His Word and entrusted them to the shepherds of His flock; and those designs have nothing to do with buildings, staff, and all the other things we think we need to have for “church”. Our task is to show Christ’s plans and designs to His people, to encourage them in the work of building His Body, the dwelling-place of Christ, the epicenter of His Kingdom, and the source of joy for the world.
For reflection or discussion
1. How can worship contribute to the vision we have of God and His Kingdom?
2. God’s vision for His Church is not just some concise “vision statement” posted in the Sunday bulletin. What does Psalm 68 suggest about how vision works—how it is cast and owned?
3. How would you explain your personal vision as a follower of Christ to a non-Christian friend? What vision are you pursuing for His Kingdom and glory?
Next steps–Preparation: Make sure your personal vision—your calling from the Lord—is clear to you. Encourage others in being clear about this as well.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues an extensive look at the Kingdom of God from our book, The Kingdom Turn. In our Crosfigell teaching letter, we are looking at the state of pastors and churches during the period of the Celtic Revival, using contemporary witnesses. And in our Scriptorium column we are studying the sermon on the mount. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
