Psalm 18:28,32,34,35 – “For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.”
There are four obscure acts of God toward us that we need not take for granted. Without them, we are vulnerable and greatly weakened.
1. “You will light my lamp.” The idea is not just an initial lighting of a lamp, but that Jehovah is the One who keeps the lamp burning. Candles and lamps in the scripture typify our lives. We need to recognize that it is God who sustains us.
2. “It is God who arms me with strength.” We exist through the strength that God provides. Paul said in Ephesians 6:10 – “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” This is great news for the faint and weary. God is our source of strength. He is the One who supplies what you need to carry on.
3. “He teaches my hands to make war.” Life is not always ease and rest and peace. Some times there will be a need to fight. Again, Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight.” When fighting becomes a necessity for survival, there is no greater Trainer than the Lord.
4. “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation.” I think when we get to heaven we will come to an understanding about the many times God kept us from harm without us ever knowing it. That is because He is the One who protects us.
Today’s reading in the Psalms opens up with a testimony: Psalm 18:16 – “He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.” The fact is friends, we wouldn’t be where we are today if it were not for the grace, mercy, and delivering power of God. He sent help from above when I needed it and He lifted me up from the many waters that could have overtaken me. Thank God for where you are today. Thank God He delivered us. Thank God He sustains, strengthens, trains, and protects us. All glory be to His holy name!