Scripture: “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers!
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”” Ps 35:1-3
Observation: From what I read here, it is not the physical intervention to perceived enemies that is most important, it is the condition of my soul.
Analysis: I stopped in my tracks when I read this.
David says: “Contend for me; fight for me; rise to my help; take up your weapons and all against my foes!”
It occurs to me anybody can ask this. And many do. It follows the old saying “there are no atheists in foxholes while the shells are falling.”
But who says with any sort of loud cry, “Say to my soul, O Lord, say it loudly, intensely, and with effectiveness, “I AM YOUR SALVATION!!”
My soul cannot hear arguments from God on my behalf. My soul cannot comprehend bloody battle defending me. These things can go on all around without me being changed at all. In fact, without the effect of my soul being changed, I can go into pride mode and say “See how God loves ME, you dirty animal.”
My constant need is not “knowing that He loves me”, it is “He is my salvation!!” There are miles of differences between these two statements.
I think David knew that. It isn’t the confidence of 10,000 mighty warrior angels surrounding me. It is the eternal confidence of the Cross in my life that is greater than anything.
Prayer: Lord, I am again freshly amazed at Your grace in my life. I would ask you to let up on me for a day or two, but that wouldn’t do me any good. You want to conform me to the Image of the Son. Currently I am but a dark shadow and I need to be continually transformed. Taking a deep breath, I ask for that, my Lord. AMEN.