Psalm 57 repeats the phrase “Be exalted, Oh God!”  I think that many Christians process this like a cheer for God akin to, “You go, God!”  I picture many spectators in a stadium cheering, “Glory to God!” In much the way that Manchester United Supporters sing, “Glory! Glory! Man United!”  It is an exaltation external to the self about an event that is happening elsewhere.  Psalm 57 does carry that kind of connotation.  However, God’s exaltation goes further than a cheer or a shout – it goes right through every fiber of the individual.

Yesterday at the Chapel a think tank was discussing why so many people see discipleship as something passive they receive from the church leadership, or as a program of study or a series of actions they do.  Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus.  This is so complete that many of our words fall short of how Christ is to be exalted in every aspect of my being.  Think this through.  Is God exalted in my prayers, my worship, my Bible reading?  We can imagine that?  Is Christ exalted in my eating patterns, my exercise,and my driving?  Is Christ exalted in the content of my work?  To describe what discipleship is,we invented the word ‘Christification’.  It is the complete Christification of the individual.  Nothing short of totality is worthy of God.  God must be exalted by virtue of who he is.  Either this will happen voluntarily – or a day will come when all things will bow the knee to Jesus and acknowledge that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Psalm 57

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.^[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.

 ¹ Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
   for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
   until the disaster has passed.

 ² I cry out to God Most High,
   to God, who vindicates me.
³ He sends from heaven and saves me,
   rebuking those who hotly pursue me—^[c]
   God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

 ⁴ I am in the midst of lions;
   I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
   whose tongues are sharp swords.

 ⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
   let your glory be over all the earth.

 ⁶ They spread a net for my feet—
   I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
   but they have fallen into it themselves.

 ⁷ My heart, O God, is steadfast,
   my heart is steadfast;
   I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul!
   Awake, harp and lyre!
   I will awaken the dawn.

 ⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
   I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
   your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

 ¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
   let your glory be over all the earth.

Questions

1. Which verse is repeated?
2. How could you restate the meaning of that verse in your own words?
3. What reaches the heavens and the skies?
4. If God fills and transcends all of creation, how is your life in harmony with his existence?
5. In what ways does God’s filling of all creation, and transcending it, bring comfort?

Going Deeper

The term Christification is out there on the web. Do a Google search.  Read how it is used by misguided gnostics and by some Christians looking for a refreshing new phrase.  How do you think the term helps and hinders discussion about discipleship?  How could people in the church engage in total discipleship?