A GOOD BATTLE IS A BATTLE FOR GOOD

After David brought the treasured Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and placed it in the tent he erected to keep it covered and safe, someone felt inspired to write this Battle Hymn to be sung each time the king went out to fight Israel’s enemies. No matter how big or small the battle, David never fought it alone, or for his own cause. He always wanted God on his side and desired that all the praise for victory go to his Divine King. In other words, I’m not in this for me LORD, I’m in it for You.

“May the LORD Eternal hold you tight when you’re feeling afraid; may the reputation of the One True God of Jacob be enough to keep the enemy away; may His spirit accompany you and His power give you strength; may He reward your kind and giving spirit; may He let the dreams of your heart become real goals for your life; may we shout with joy over your victories, and in the name of our One True God lift up banners of triumph; and may the LORD answer every prayer you pray. I firmly believe the LORD Eternal will help you succeed as one of His anointed; that from His heavenly throne He will respond to your need by giving you complete victory through His power. While some try to do things depending on man’s ways and methods, we invoke the authority of the LORD Eternal our One True God. The enemy will bow down awestruck and helpless, while we advance with heads held high. O LORD Eternal, grant his majesty victory as an answer to this prayer.” Psalm 20:1-9

One year Brian Fugere finished the Boston Marathon in 3 hours and 19 minutes. The next time he ran another 26-mile marathon it took him 7 hours and 48 minutes. That’s because this time the 47-year-old Danville, California native was pushing an IV-pole around the halls of Kaiser Walnut Creek’s third-floor cancer ward as it dripped chemotherapy into his body. It was 144 laps over a period of three days in order to raise funds for sarcoma cancer research. The doctors, nurses, staff, and other patients cheered him as he cross the finish line at 10:30 a.m. I wonder how different it would be if believers cheered on their leaders after they’ve suffered setbacks and spiritual hardships, instead of sitting around in pews, at their kitchen tables, or in restaurant booths discussing the mistakes and faults they see. How much better if they started passing on notes of encouragement and support to these weakened saints and witness a transformation in their attitude and willingness to press on to victory. Although greeting cards, as we know them, didn’t exist in David’s day, when he received this psalm it must have given him courage to lead his people in the right direction with renewed strength.