In any such fight it is not only what you do, it is where and how you do it.”
–Louis L’Amour (Flint)
“Fight the worthwhile battle of the faith, keep your grip on that life eternal to which you have been called, and to which you boldly professed your loyalty before many witnesses.”
–1 Timothy 6:12 (Phillips)
————————-
Someone has said that the first portion of Psalm 144 is like a scrapbook. If you have ever put one together you place pictures of individuals that you have taken, and often they are doing something. Here are some pictures of God, and notice what He’s doing. He’s taking notice of us and going into action for us. Charles H. Spurgeon asked, “How is it that the Eternal should make so much of mortal man, who begins to die as soon as he begins to live?”
1 — Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle–
2 — My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.
3 — LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
4 — Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
5 — Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 — Flash forth lightning and scatter them; shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
7 — Stretch out Your hand from above; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of foreigners.
8 — Whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. (NKJV)
Shape up! Look who is there with you. This reads almost like an action-packed war movie from the beginning of training to the climax of the battle. Pictures of the Lord coming on the scene to help. Maybe the title would be, “Man–the Passing Shadow.” Get up, get moving, get ready for the battle and the work of the Lord on your behalf. Get the pictures of battle and victory in your mind.
How will God come to your aid today? How will He rescue from the onslaught of the enemy? We have to be out in the midst of the battle if we expect the Lord to come and fight with us/for us. Richard Sibbes wrote, “There can be no victory where there is no combat.” Don’t worry so much as to the outcome, for the Lord is there to fight for you. He is there whenever we fight against our enemies, the enemies of God. Will He part the sea, He did that once. Will He bring an earthquake to swallow up those who are against you? Perhaps He will send a delusion upon the enemy so they fight among themselves. Oh, His ways and weapons are beyond our means, as well as His tragedies and tactics well above our understanding.
Basic training, what an interesting time. A time of training, a time of discipline and learning. David has been through that – now he is ready for combat, for the fight. “He finds in the Lord not only his protection in battle but also his preparation for battle… God is unconditionally committed to His servant, forever loyal to His promises.” (Lawson) Just look at verse 2, He is our shield. The shield was used to deflect the arrows and projectiles of the enemy. Who is our shield? The Lord God Almighty. He stands deflecting the fiery darts of the enemy. God will fight for us, He will defend and protect us.
God is there! God is for us! Add to your collection of pictures the victory that He will bring today. Add another picture of the action He is going to take. Rest and rejoice in the victory that He will bring.
“Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
Never run, nor even lag behind;
If you would win for God and the right,
Just keep on the firing line.”
–Bessie F. Hatcher
————————-
Someone has said that the first portion of Psalm 144 is like a scrapbook. If you have ever put one together you place pictures of individuals that you have taken, and often they are doing something. Here are some pictures of God, and notice what He’s doing. He’s taking notice of us and going into action for us. Charles H. Spurgeon asked, “How is it that the Eternal should make so much of mortal man, who begins to die as soon as he begins to live?”
1 — Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle–
2 — My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.
3 — LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
4 — Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
5 — Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 — Flash forth lightning and scatter them; shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
7 — Stretch out Your hand from above; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of foreigners.
8 — Whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. (NKJV)
Shape up! Look who is there with you. This reads almost like an action-packed war movie from the beginning of training to the climax of the battle. Pictures of the Lord coming on the scene to help. Maybe the title would be, “Man–the Passing Shadow.” Get up, get moving, get ready for the battle and the work of the Lord on your behalf. Get the pictures of battle and victory in your mind.
How will God come to your aid today? How will He rescue from the onslaught of the enemy? We have to be out in the midst of the battle if we expect the Lord to come and fight with us/for us. Richard Sibbes wrote, “There can be no victory where there is no combat.” Don’t worry so much as to the outcome, for the Lord is there to fight for you. He is there whenever we fight against our enemies, the enemies of God. Will He part the sea, He did that once. Will He bring an earthquake to swallow up those who are against you? Perhaps He will send a delusion upon the enemy so they fight among themselves. Oh, His ways and weapons are beyond our means, as well as His tragedies and tactics well above our understanding.
Basic training, what an interesting time. A time of training, a time of discipline and learning. David has been through that – now he is ready for combat, for the fight. “He finds in the Lord not only his protection in battle but also his preparation for battle… God is unconditionally committed to His servant, forever loyal to His promises.” (Lawson) Just look at verse 2, He is our shield. The shield was used to deflect the arrows and projectiles of the enemy. Who is our shield? The Lord God Almighty. He stands deflecting the fiery darts of the enemy. God will fight for us, He will defend and protect us.
God is there! God is for us! Add to your collection of pictures the victory that He will bring today. Add another picture of the action He is going to take. Rest and rejoice in the victory that He will bring.
“Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
Never run, nor even lag behind;
If you would win for God and the right,
Just keep on the firing line.”
–Bessie F. Hatcher