Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from Psalm Forty Four verse Eight, “In God we boast all day long, and praise also your name forever,” (NRSVB). This reflective psalm is attributed to the sons of Korah, a family of singers working in the temple. We are taken one a poetic journey, studying God’s deeds of deliverance that saved Israel from her enemies. In situations of war, the victorious army would boast of their victories by parading the war victims, and the looted bounty, in a procession as they enter into the towns. The returning soldiers would be hailed as heroes. Singing, dancing and festivities would ensue. The conquered victims would be at the mercy of their conquerors and most often, the captives or prisoners of war, would be sold on slave markets. Nations were fearful of nations. Fear and hatred were emotions that lived in close proximity within the hearts of people, vying for attention. Small wonder that the mention of the name of the enemy thus would evoke such powerful reaction within the people. The gods of the enemy nations caused great consternation amongst the people would lived in the Ancient Near East. The victors of battles hailed their gods as the greatest, the ones who allowed them to be victorious in battle. The heroes of those days were the soldiers and generals who could fight skilfully with the bow and arrow, the sword, who led the infantry and the cavalry.
This psalm states that the preparation of the soldiers, and the honing of the skills of war-fare, are of no avail. It is not the skills of mere humans, but the plans and the strong right arm of the Lord that brings victory and defends the defenceless. Those who have been captured are ashamed, for they have lost the battle. They are mocked, they are in no position to boast, they carry the shame of their defeat. The temple singer-psalmists share these truths with the worshippers. Mere mortals do not have the power, whether they use a bow or arrow, the sword, or all the machinery given for war-fare, to over-power the vast enemy. Humans do not have the fortitude, mentally, emotionally or physically to withstand the attacks of the enemy, the evil one. It is only God who can fight on behalf of humans and over-power evil. God calls his angelic hosts to overcome, undermine and nullify the plans and purposes of evil, so that people can live in harmony. “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment shall be shown to be in the wrong,” the prophet Isaiah promised when he prophesied regarding the new world that God is going to bring about.
What leaders, princes and rulers proudly bring about and boast of, is nothing in comparison with what God has done, is doing and will do. Because we believe in and trust and rely on God, we can confidently wait for his salvation. He will save his children, they will not be ashamed, they will walk with their heads held high, singing songs of praise to the Lord. They boast of God’s work and might, not the work and might of men, but the work of the Creator of the Universe who plans and purposes good. The Apostle Paul says that we can only boast in this work of Jesus Christ for us on the Cross. If we look at Christ on the Cross, it looks as if he has been overcome by evil, but the third day he burst forth from the grave, for he gained life and victory for us. The fighting that the Christian army does is the work of prayer and praise. On our knees we bring the battle to the Lord and praise him for the victory that he has already won for us. We have to follow the instruction of the Apostle Paul, as he encouraged the Thessalonian congregations, in his First Letter, Chapter Five verses Sixteen to Seventeen, “Be happy in your faith, and rejoice and be glad-hearted. Be unceasing in prayer,” (Amplified Bible).
Father God, help us to keep our eyes fixed on you, help us to look away from the countless obstacles caused by the enemy of peace, truth and life. You are the author of our faith and our salvation. You will save us mightily, and we shall praise you, Amen.