PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 144
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1)
David is speaking from his own experience of the world.
He lives in a world of violence, deception, war, injustice, poverty, distress.
In that context he expresses his hope that God helps him overcome these.
He trains me (my hands and fingers) to deal with the brokenness of our world.
The Law pointed people towards justice and mercy, and to the need for humility and grace.
But it also revealed how ‘evil’ is not just out there, but is in us too.
Our real battle is spiritual, the real battle is with the sin that causes the bad stuff.
When we trust the Lord, and seek his way, he helps us overcome this battle within.
Ultimately God comes in Jesus to defeat evil in us and restore our hearts for God.
The idea behind this Psalm is true, but should not be used to justify war or violence.
It should not be used to attack ‘foreigners’ (vv.7,11) or to subdue nations (v.2).
The Lord rescues us from evil by dying, not killing; he invites us to follow him.
Love and goodness, not violence, are the way to overcoming evil (Romans 12:21).
Will I trust Jesus as my deliverer, and let him train me to fight his way?
PRAYER
Lord, I do praise you for fighting and overcoming evil for me, to rescue me. Train me to fight with you using love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!
Who am I that God should care for me? Amazing that He does: “Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?” I am blessed – like David I thank God for safety and for the opportunity to serve in different ways – for protection from harm and danger – for the HS to guide and encourage me! Thank you Lord that you care for me! Lord may I be a messenger of your grace so other too may know God this way!
The Lord, the Lord. He is God.
He is the Ruler of my life and I will serve Him.
I was created to serve Him and praise Him.
Help me daily Lord to be an instrument of Your peace.
This is my Father’s world and others need to see Him in me.
Make me a channel of Your peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.