God: The Mighty Warrior — So Was David
Today’s Bible readings* highlight God as a mighty warrior. David found himself in dire straits and he knew that God had delivered him. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, you save me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:2–3 (CSB)
David often calls God his refuge and fortress. He sees God as a place where he finds safety and rest. But to David, God is not some kind of static protection. He sees God as actively defending him from his enemies.
2 Samuel 22:7-18 (especially verses 10-11, 17-18) is a beautiful picture of the lengths to which God will move heaven and earth to rescue His people, if we will only cry out to Him. (2 Samuel 22:7)
He bent the heavens and came down, total darkness beneath his feet.
He rode on a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he pulled me out of deep water.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me,
for they were too strong for me.
2 Samuel 22:10-11, 17-18 (CSB)
But David knows that he didn’t get to just rest on his “blessed assurance”. He knew he had to engage his enemies. He also knew that God had equipped him for the job. (2 Samuel 22:35-36, 40)
He trains my hands for war;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation;
your help exalts me.
You have clothed me with strength for battle;
you subdue my adversaries beneath me.
2 Samuel 22:35–36, 40 (CSB)
Application
We can learn a great deal from David’s testimony for fighting our own spiritual battles. We are, after all, involved in a great cosmic battle.
Here’s David’s formula for his battles:
God is a mighty warrior.
+ David cries out to God.
+ God equips David for battle.
+ X
= David is victorious!
So what is X?
X is David’s character shaped by God’s Word and his obedience to it. David was a man after God’s own heart. He wanted to have a single-minded focus and he wanted to please the One Who had enlisted him in the battle. (2 Timothy 2:4)
If we belong to God, our victory is guaranteed. But every single day, we still go into battle, engaging our enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We can apply David’s formula as we trust God as our mighty warrior, commit to prayer, take up our Bible, and live holy lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
– 2 Samuel 22
– 2 Samuel 23
– Psalms 57
This devotional was originally published on May 12, 2021.
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