PSALM 149: 6-9: “Let high praises to God be heard in their throats, while they wield two-edged swords in their hands as they bring retribution to nations and punishment to nations, binding their kings with chains, their officials with iron bands, and executing the judgment written against them. This is honor for all the ones he loves. Hallelujah!” (ISV)
OBSERVATION: Life is a battle! Are you tired of losing the battle? We will not win this battle by living in passivity. We must rise up and engage in the battle if we are to win it. Yet, unlike those who rise up with physical weapons, inflicting untold hurt upon innocent people – we rise up with spiritual weapons, to bring freedom to those who are bound in sin and the oppression of the enemy of our souls. Paul reminds us,
- “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT)
What are the weapons that we are to engage in the battle of life? The Psalmist declares – it is our high praises to God, and a two-edged sword in our hands (God’s Word). Through these two offensive weapons we engage in the spiritual battles of life. The power of prayer and praise, and the truth of the Word of God, are sufficient in securing our victory! These are the offensive weapons that are put into our trust!
- “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” (Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-18 NKJV)
The whole armor of God is needed! Yet, if we only put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our Good News shoes, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation – but neglect to take up the sword of the spirit (which is the Word of God), and the call to prayer and supplication in the Spirit (prayer and praise) – we will not be victorious, we will merely survive. You can merely survive by putting yourself under the protection of the defensive armor (belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet), but you can only win when you pick up and use the offensive weapons or prayer and praise, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!
One might hope – “I’ll just avoid the battle!” Yet, this is to fully underestimate the wiles of our enemy and the weakness of our own flesh. Jesus said, the spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak. Unless we are abiding in worship, prayer, and the Word of God, we will not engage in the battle, and we will not win.
THE GOOD NEWS IS – WE ARE DESTINED TO WIN! It is our heritage, our promise, our destiny. All you have to do is read the end of the Book – WE WIN!
THE QUESTION IS – WILL WE WIN THE BATTLE IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE?
- “Let high praises to God be heard in their throats, while they wield two-edged swords in their hands as they bring retribution to nations and punishment to nations, binding their kings with chains, their officials with iron bands, and executing the judgment written against them. This is honor for all the ones he loves. Hallelujah!” (ISV)
Lord, daily remind me that the battle I face is not against people – the battle I face is against the enemy of our souls, the weakness of my own flesh, and the deceitfulness of sin. May I never desire the harm of anyone you have died to save. May I stand against the wiles of the enemy, and position my life in love toward all others, even to those who are my enemies and desire to do me harm. Let the high praises of God be in my mouth each morning, and help me to speak the truth of Your Word (the two edged sword) with boldness, but always in love. Help me to enter into the victory and honor that you promise for all those who love You! Hallelujah!
In Jesus Name!
