Tag: warrior

Categories
1 Samuel Devotionals

A warrior, not a wimp

Warrior

But David found strength in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)

It occurred to me this morning that David did what the apostle Paul would talk about hundreds of years later.

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. (Ephesians 6:10)

When hard times come, I want to be a warrior, not a wimp.

I don’t want to throw pity parties, feeling sorry for myself.

Nor do I want to give into bitterness, frustration, or anger at my situation.

Honestly, though, that’s how I act sometimes.

No longer.

I want to be like David, strengthened by God’s might, strapping on his armor, and fighting back against the Enemy.

Categories
Psalms

Remembering the goodness and love of God

Psalms

The first verse pretty much sums up all of Psalm 136.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
“His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

This whole psalm is about God’s goodness and love toward his people.  But as we look at it, we see just who God is to us.

It begins by talking about how he is the “God of gods” and “Lord of lords,” continuing one of the main themes of Psalm 135.  (verses 2-3)

It then talks about him as Creator, the one who created the heavens and earth.  How in his wisdom and power, he created all things.  (4-9)

God is then worshiped as the Redeemer.  The one who delivered the people of Israel from Egypt, by striking down the Egyptians, and bringing the Israelites through the Red Sea.  (10-15)

The psalmist then remembers God as Shepherd, leading the people through the desert, providing for their every need.   (16)

We next see him as the Mighty Warrior, defeating powerful kings and great cities, as he brought Israel into the promised land, and giving it to them as an inheritance.  (17-22)

In verses 23-25, the psalmist proclaims God as the God of grace and mercy.  As one who saw the lowly state of his people, and delivered them.  Who not only provided for their needs, but provides for the needs of every creature he has created.

And finally, we see God as the Lord of heaven.  The one who reigns over all.  (26)

I mentioned in an earlier blog the dangers of cynicism.  One of the weapons against cynicism in our lives is thanksgiving.  Remembering who God is and what he has done for us.

Remembering that he is God and he is in control, even though we can’t see it sometimes.

Remembering how he redeemed us from Satan’s kingdom and eternal death.

Remembering how even now, he is leading us as pilgrims on this earth and will bring us into the kingdom he has prepared for us.

How he is the mighty warrior and will help us in the battles against the spiritual forces that we face every day.

How when we fall, he shows grace and mercy to us, and lifts us back up.  That he never leaves us nor forsakes us.

So every day, let us remember these things.  Let us focus on these things.  And let us sing with hope as the psalmist did,

His love endures forever.