July 10th, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

PRAISE FOR A BATTLE WON

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, we long for the day we hear: “For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7).

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.

Meditate

“God will lead you straight through every barrier into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself” (Oswald Chambers).

Think Further

 David had conquered; he was on top, standing on the heights, his enemies trampled like mud (42) and his throne established, foreigners cowering before him. However, “pride goes before destruction” (Prov. 16:18), and David went his own way and brought disaster on his family and his people, facing rebellion led by his own son and murder and betrayal by his commanders. David knew he needed God’s support when he went out to battle, but maybe he didn’t seek the Lord’s strength for the everyday battles of life.

 

As we read the gospels, we see that Jesus warned his disciples of suffering and pain ahead. However, there were also wonderful miracles of provision and healing, and Peter, James and John had seen the Lord glorified. Maybe after the resurrection they sang this psalm of David in the synagogue and were filled with praise and worship because the Messiah had come. He had died to save the world and they were called to carry this wonderful message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The journey was sometimes very hard, however, and they faced opposition from their own people. James was executed by Herod and Peter was thrown into prison. Did they doubt sometimes?

 

Peter wrote to the Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you… But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Pet. 4:12–13). So we can join today in songs of praise on earth, however hard the times, because victory is assured and one day we will sit down at the wedding feast of the Lamb in glory.

Apply

How far does David’s passionate poetry reflect your discipleship today?

Closing prayer

Mighty God, my heart is encouraged to know that I fight today’s battles from victory, not for victory. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

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