September 28
“Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes” Psalm 108:12-13
In 1989, I was in Las Vegas for the Southern Baptist Convention (!). Word on the street was that we rolled into town with the 10 Commandments and a $20 bill and didn’t break either! A wealthy friend contacted me and said he had two tickets to the Sugar Ray Leonard/Hit Man Hearns world championship fight. We met at Caesar’s Palace where the fight was staged outside. Each guy was knocked down multiple times and when the last round ended, they were in the middle of the ring, toe to toe, slugging it out, going the distance. What a fight!
That scene is a metaphor for God’s people: we’re in a fight, our adversary is tough, we get knocked down, but we keep getting up to fight some more because God is with us.
David began Psalm 108 praising Yahweh for His faithfulness, glory, and enduring love (vv.1-5). But then with v. 6, he began to plead with God to give victory to His people over their enemies, specifically, Moab, Philistia, and Edom. From before David and after, these three neighbors were constantly attacking Israel: raiding, pillaging, even capturing families to sell in the slave trade. Yahweh gave Israel victory numerous times, but the enemies never went totally away.
David knew the key to victory was not in human strength, but in the power of Yahweh. Jesus and the New Testament writers built on this theme of fighting the enemy with the strength of the Lord:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
You may be knocked down, but if you’re a child of God, you’re not knocked out. Get up. Arm yourself with the armor of God so that you can “take your stand” (Ephesians 6:13) and fight. When you draw your last breath, may you be in the middle of the ring, toe to toe with the enemy, going the distance.
God, be my strength. Amen
My favorite one so far and perfectly timed too... I've dealt with rejection this year after trying to be obedient to God's call. The last time got me right in the heart and I've struggled the last couple of weeks. But you're right, the enemy is trying to keep me from following God's will by hitting me where it counts and God is strengthening me through this rejection. Thank you for such a great reminder! 🤗