Through God
Today’s Verse:
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. ~Psalm 60:12
Our devotion this morning takes us to Psalm 60. David was facing one of the most difficult challenges in his life. On one hand, he was facing two boisterous men who led the Syrian army against him, and on the other hand, he was facing the challenge of a large number of Edomites who wanted to fight with him as well. Even though he had won numerous battles before, these new challenges caused him to dig deep and realize how much more he needed God’s help in his life.
We see David in his sorrowful distress.
David starts off by saying, “O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us.” He recognized that the Lord was not pleased with some things in David’s kingdom, and as a result, his people were being chastened. Being cast off was a way of describing how they felt like they were knocked down on their back. It was as if God would not intervene for them at this critical time. He was anxious and worried as to whether they had lost the blessing of God. They had to go through such a difficult time that he said, “Thou hast shewed thy people hard things.” Life was tough and things seemed uncertain. His confidence was rattled as he began writing. When we go through distress, we feel just like David did.
We see David in his simple deference.
However, David remembered that God has a purpose in what He does. David remembered that times of distress should lead to times of deference. Deference means to be in submission. When David and his army realized how weak they were, they turned to God for His help. He said, “God hath spoken in his holiness.” Times of difficulty shake us up and make us more ready to hear the instruction of God. He listened with a teachable spirit as God recounted the victories and ownership that God had over Israel and their enemies. God reminded David that He was the One Who gave Israel their victories of the past, and it would He Who would give them the victories they needed for the present.
We see David in his sheer dependence.
“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” David was bolstered in his confidence. His faith was encouraged and reassured. In spite of setbacks, he knew that God was the only One Who could give him the victory that he needed. Many times, we can be outnumbered, outmanned, and overwhelmed by circumstances that appear much bigger than us. However, when our faith is like David’s, we can do valiantly. He realized that the battle is the Lord’s. He remembered that his victory over Goliath was because God gave it to him. Going forward, he knew that God would still be the only One Who could give him the victory. Through God, we can be courageous. Through God, we can be conquerors. Through God, we can have the confidence that we need to stay positive. His dependence upon God was a reminder that no victory is possible without the Lord!
As David and Joab confronted their enemies, God gave them a decisive victory that included the overthrow of 12,000 Edomites!
Don’t let your circumstances make you cower in fear. Through God, we shall do valiantly!
Have a victorious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Nehemiah 10-11