Battle Hymns
I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me. Psalm 13:5-6
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In the early verses of Psalm 13, the psalmist called out to God and heard nothing in reply. What could he count on to carry him through that bleak moment? He reached deep within and pulled out memories of the times God had rescued him in the past, times he had his back against the wall and had seen the hand of God move. Times he had felt abandoned and later discovered that God had been working behind the scenes in ways that were miraculous? It was those memories that allowed him to sing of God’s goodness in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. The psalmist’s experience is much like a soldier crouched behind a barrier, gunshots and fire exploding around him, unaware that the general sits on a higher plain, mapping out the enemy’s next move. It is only when the smoke has cleared and the general’s plan is revealed that the soldier understands that he was never alone. Sometimes we may wonder where God is when we are in the middle of a battle, but it is the memory of past victories that allows us to sing while we wait for him to rescue us.
Prayer:
LORD, I can’t help but praise you when I remember all the times you have rescued me in the past. There were times when I felt alone and realized only later that you were there all along. I see your handiwork in those valleys as you gently guided me when I stumbled, held my hand, and lifted me to the mountaintops once again. Help me to trust you for what I am facing today.
Quotes:
IT IS THE TRIAL OF OUR FAITH THAT IS PRECIOUS. IF WE GO THROUGH THE TRIAL, THERE IS SO MUCH WEALTH LAID UP IN OUR HEAVENLY BANK ACCOUNT TO DRAW UPON WHEN THE NEXT TEST COMES.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: 1 Chronicles 24:1–26:11; Romans 4:1-12; Psalm 13:1-6 and Proverbs 19:15-16.
