PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 60
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.” (Psalm 60:4)
What good is a banner against a bow and arrow?
A banner is useless… unless that banner represents something else.
“Let his banner over me be love!” (Song of Songs 2:4)
The love of God gives us an assurance that arrows can not give.
David’s hope is not his armies… “for human help is worthless.” (Psalm 60:11)
Arrows can only give temporary victory, but God gives eternal victory.
He gives us strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow!
I do not want to minimize the seriousness of today’s burdens.
I get the fear and struggle that we experience in the now.
But if we focus on these, we only make them bigger, and worse.
For all our worry and struggle, have we succeeded in removing trouble?
The Lord has not promised to end all our storms right away.
But he has assured us that we will survive them, because He loves us!
Focus on His banner of love, not on the arrows of fear – love will triumph!
PRAYER
Lord, life can be hard, painful and scary. Help me to find strength and hope by focusing on Your love, rather than Satan’s arrows of despair.
This Psalm reminds me of the story of Joshua and his troops go up to capture Ai the first time. They lost and many were killed. Joshua found that God did not go with them and soon found out why God had rejected them – with Achan’s defiance of God’s commands. Rejection is something that I’ve always feared as a child – but the most important thing is not be rejected by God. As the Psalm concludes: “With God we will gain the victory” – yes with God I can do what the Spirit leads me to do!
My help is in the name of the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. Put not your trust in the ‘horses’ of mankind or their many resources or their might. God is the answer. Trust Him and He will see me through the dark valley for He continues to lead and guide me in the way to go – at all times.
Lead me oh Lord, won’t you lead me
I am tired and I need Thy strength and power
To guide me over my darkest hour
For just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh Lord, won’t you lead me
Lead me, guide me along the way
For if you lead me I cannot stray
Or just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh Lord, won’t you lead me
I am lost if you take your hand from me
I am blind without try light to see
Lord just always let me Thy servant be
Lead me oh Lord, won’t you lead me
Lead me, guide me along the way
For if you lead me I cannot stray
Lord just open my eyes that I may see
Lead me oh Lord, won’t you lead me