God of battle
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are my rock and my stronghold; You protect me from every enemy. In You, I overcome.
Read PSALM 18:30–50
[30] As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. [31] For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? [32] It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. [33] He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. [34] He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. [35] You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. [36] You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. [37] I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. [38] I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. [39] You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. [40] You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. [41] They cried for help, but there was no one to save them- to the LORD, but he did not answer. [42] I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. [43] You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me, [44] foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. [45] They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. [46] The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! [47] He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, [48] who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. [49] Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. [50] He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How is God pictured in this psalm?The psalmist seems to be a soldier. Indeed, the psalm is attributed to King David and perhaps reflects something of his experiences early on in his life when palaces and kingly rule were a distant prospect. Imagine the qualities needed to survive in rocky terrain: the nimbleness and stability, the strength and the ability to pick out the best pathway—perhaps like a rock-climber or walker today. Certainly we have here a fighter who is on the run (32–36). This is a situation of crisis. Fine judgments are laid aside for the sake of sheer survival. The psalmist is faced with enemies, real danger and opposition (37–45). Only a minority of us experience this regularly. But how do you feel about God giving victory to his people (50)? How do you feel about his judgment of those who persecute those whom he loves? We know that he acts justly and mercifully, so who are we to be squeamish in these moments of high drama and existential crisis?
Apply
Journal about your experiences of crisis and need, and also about God’s response.
Closing prayer
Lord, when I am afraid, You are the one in whom I trust. You are my deliverer.
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