Strengthened by God

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall….It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure…He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great.” from Psalm 18: 31-36

David speaks about what he knows, what He has experienced in his own walk with God. He knew the help of God from an early age as he tended sheep. He knew the strength that had been given to him by God. Even though David was called “a man after God’s own heart”, he was also a man of war. It is through the lens of battle that David recites what the Lord has done for him. It is his personal story, his testimony of God’s work in his life.

So David says,

• You keep my lamp burning…(give me the strength to go on)

• With Your help, I can advance against a troop…(I can move forward in adversity)

• He trains my hands for battle…(You equip me with what I need to fight)

• He gives me a shield of victory…(You provide the protection I need to be successful)

• You armed me with strength for battle…(You give strength when I need it)

These are all descriptions of regular occurrences in David’s life. He is reciting what God has done and continues to do in his life. He acknowledges that his help and the victory come from the Lord.

I wonder what we would write if we were to take this part of Psalm 18 as our guide.

What kind of battles do we face? What kinds of difficulties? Do you feel besieged, ambushed, overwhelmed? Are you having trouble “keeping the lamp burning?” What is the story of God’s work in your life – your own personal battles?

• YOU keep my lamp burning, so that I can …

• With GOD’S help, I can advance against …

• HE trains my hands for …

• YOU armed me with strength for …

Spend some time this week thinking about the things that God has given you strength to do, ask Him for MORE strength and praise Him for His continued presence in your life!