They All Were In The Wrong
Psalm 68
A poem about seven men, seven blind men examining an elephant each had their chance encounter with various parts of the elephant's anatomy. Whether trunk or tail, side or leg, ear or tusk they each were very capable of describing what they felt of the elephant in their blindness. As they compared their discoveries about said elephant they each insisted what they individually knew in detail, they each failed to realize that even their seven reports of their findings left a very incomplete view, in fact a very empty view of all an elephant is.
Now the point the poet wants to make is that of philosophical views. The view is only as correct as the blind men can reach.
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this Law.
Deuteronomy 29:29 GNV
Having grown up attending church there have been times when I thought, This is the correct way to view God. But as I grew older and learned of others who believed in God in a very much like faith I also learned we weren't taught the same or from the same perspective. And as I continued to read and study the Bible I realized time and again "you keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means". One that maybe of the best examples I had to learn from was an old evangelist in his 80s (first heard him preach he was in maybe his late 40s or 50s) who had Parkinson's and so he kept his body (arms and legs) moving constantly. But his mind was clear as he told me, "I've come up with a new definition of faith." What?! Isn't faith just, well, you know, faith. See, even just one thing might be seen a different way.
Then another reality hit me. Not only were other believers learning different things seeming to put higher priority on different aspects of God, but actually because of life experiences of necessity they learned those specific attributes of God because it was what God knew they needed in their life. As God was growing them they needed to see that attribute of God in a very strong way. And I realized that like the seven blind men examining an elephant drew seven different conclusions so can we as believers. And in reality often by holding onto what we know of God and not learning of what others know of God we often miss what little collectively that God has revealed of Himself that all of us know about Him. And yes, we miss a lot of all who God is.
Being a lengthier psalm it does just what we've been talking about, that of seeing the work and power and personal interaction in life that God is and does. David shows different attributes of God through the mighty power of God in His interaction with men. From leaving the environs of Egypt still sore from the slave masters' whips to the Red Sea, Mount Sinai, the conquest of Canaan and battles since David tells of all the ways God opened up knowing Him time and again of who He is.
In all the attributes of God there is a commonality, a universality no matter the characteristic.
To him that excelleth. A Psalm or song of David.
God will arise, and his enemies shall be scattered: they also that hate him, shall flee before him. As the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away: and as wax melteth before the fire, so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Psalms 68:1 - 2 GNV
Because of who God is and because of what's in themselves men will either flee from Him, be driven from Him, and...
But the righteous shall be glad, and rejoice before God: yea, they shall leap for joy.
Psalms 68:3 GNV
the others will rejoice in Him. That is all from God simply existing in all He is no matter how God has revealed Himself differently in the lives of different people. So what can be seen of God in this psalm?
Verse 1 - The God who arises
Verse 2 -The greatness of God's presence
Verse 3 - God, Elohiym, supreme God
Verse 4 - Praise worthy
Verse 4 - He rides upon the heavens
Verse 4 - Jah - the sacred name, most vehement
Verse 5 - father - to the fatherless
Verse 5 - judge or advocate for widows
Verse 5 - has a holy habitation
Verse 6 - sets thr solitary in families
Verse 6 - brings out those bound
Verse 6 - makes the rebellious to dwell in a dry land
Verse 7 - He leads His people
Verse 7 - leads through wilderness
Twenty percent of the way through the psalm already presents fourteen different characteristics of God that that many different people alone have laid claim in such a way they have grown close to Him simply because of what God has done His way. The other 80% of the verses are just as rich. Read them. Certainly there will be one or more the Lord has impressed in their life to claim as a person once blind, but now can see. Remember just because you can see yours you have no need to be blind to others.