Psalm 144

Read Psalm 144

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” David's life was characterized by warfare. He understood that his battles were part of his spiritual calling. The Lord was the one who prepared David for his life as a warrior. The Almighty was the God who was his protection and who secured for him every victory.

Yet what was mankind that God should even give any thought to them? Human beings are so temporary when compared with their Creator. But David could not afford to go into battle without the strength of the Lord going before him. He needed the eternal God to fight on his behalf from heaven. Otherwise strong “foreigners whose mouths speak lies” would have brought about the king's demise.

What could David possibly give back to the Lord for His heavenly support over the course of so many earthly battles? David would lift up his voice in praise to the Almighty. He would bring God sincere worship.

The king knew that the Lord alone could carry him through the challenges of this life. He was aware that his sons and daughters would only prosper according to the will of the King of kings. He understood that every blessing came to him from on high. “Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”

New Testament believers need to give serious consideration to the words of this godly warrior from of old. Like David, we too are involved in battle. The Captain of our salvation has fought for us through His atoning death. Now He calls us forward to fight the good fight in His name.

We are not going out into the fields of Canaan to slay Philistines or Moabites. Jesus calls us to give our lives in a very different kind of warfare. We still stand in critical need of heavenly support. Our Lord stands with us in every godly endeavor. At just the right time, the Son of God will return, and He will bring a new Kingdom that will never fail.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Glorious Lord, You use us in the thick of battle. You have trained our souls for a very significant spiritual war. You are here with us. You have given us the Word, that we might live by Your grace. We will be careful to follow Your anointed King. What will we do in the day when the blessings we long for the most seem so far from us? We will still turn to You and trust You. You are the Lord God, and You will help us.