PSALM 76

To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. In Judah God [is] known; His name [is] great in Israel. 2 In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion. 3 There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle. Selah 4 You [are] more glorious and excellent [Than] the mountains of prey. 5 The stouthearted were plundered; They have sunk into their sleep; And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands. 6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep. 7 You, Yourself, [are] to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry? 8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. 11 Make vows to the LORD your God, and pay [them]; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared. 12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes; [He is] awesome to the kings of the earth.

PSALM 76:1-12

THE GOD WHO FIGHTS FOR US

I love the account of Judges chapter 4-5. I won’t recount it all like I did here, but I’ll give you the highlights. The people come into the land of Canaan but they don’t really take it over like they are suppose to because the people of the valleys have the superior weaponry know as chariots. Then finally Deborah tells Barak to get ready for Battle and even though Sisera has the superior technology of chariots everyone gets ready to fight. Then it’s hinted at in chapter 5 that God comes and fights the battle…

what does he do? how does he show up? He sends a thunderstorm that muddies the watershed in the valley and the chariots get stuck! The superior technology of chariots completely backfire and become liabilities. Israel get’s the victory and God get’s the glory!

And you know, it’s not the only time he did it. The Old Testament is filled with accounts of how God fought for His people! The entire Egyptian army, the supper power of the day, drown chasing the Israelites through the Red Sea! The Assyrian Army turned on itself and fled during the middle of the night when the angel of the Lord walked through. Story after story, testimony after testimony of how God fought the battle and won victory for His people.

We need praise like this! We need songs that remind us that it is God who fights for us. Sometimes we don’t take the Lord into the equation at all. We estimate how we can do something or accomplish something and we don’t trust in the Lord. We need to be reminded that from saving our necks to saving our souls the Lord has always fought for His people. We should not be afraid to trust Him when things get serious, but rather we should trust Him all the more. This is when his work is seen most clearly. We simply need to trust him and take him at his word. So easy to say, so hard to do sometimes.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible grace and mercy that have been multiplied in my life. How quick I am to forget that you are the one who fights for me. You went to the cross for my sin! I am redeemed by you and for your glory! As I pray over my day I ask that I would be aware of your grace in my life. I confess that too often I have taken your grace for granted. Let your praise be on my lips all day long as I recount of how you saved me and directed my steps. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.