Today’s reading: Psalm 27:1-14
We are at war. Though war be waged against me” (v.3c); we are engaged in all-out spiritual warfare. “When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh” (v.2a); the enemy is a roaring lion or a rampaging wolf waiting to devour us. “Though an army encamp against me” (v.3a); we face evil forces, diabolical forces led by Satan with hordes of demons, and powerful earthly forces assaulting faith, family and life.
Those are a formidable enemy. But we are not to be afraid; “my heart does not fear” (v.3b). What we are to do is to trust in God; “even then do I trust.” (v.3d). Notice that the opposite of fear is not courage, but trust. Indeed, human courage might at times be foolhardiness, or just misplaced machismo, or even simply stupidity.
But trust in God is an entirely different posture. Since we belong to God, since it is God who sends us off to battle, since it is God who equips us and empowers us, then we look to Him, and certainly not just to ourselves or our human resources. This is God’s war, and as we fight for God, then God fights for us. And God has already won the victory! Thus “these my enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall.” (v.2b).
God shelters us (v.5a), establishes us firmly on rock (v.5b), protects us from enemies all around (v.6a), does not forsake us but saves us (v.9b), guides our path (v.11), does not abandon us (v.12a). With such trust, then we will have courage! “Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!” (v.14).
Warriors, be not afraid, but simply trust in God. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” (v.1).
* * *
コメント