READ Psalm 60:6–12. 6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. 7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? 11 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 12 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE. Israel used literal weapons to visit God’s wrath on evil nations. But Jesus bore the divine wrath against sin on the cross (Romans 3:24–26) and will return to put down all evil (Revelation 19:11–13). Meanwhile Christians fight not flesh-and-blood enemies but spiritual ones (Ephesians 6:1–20).44 To fight discouragement, doubt, suffering, temptation, uncontrollable emotions, pride, guilt, shame, loneliness, persecution, false doctrine, spiritual dryness, and darkness—Paul says we must “put on” the armor of salvation, of the Gospel, of faith. Like David, we are to remind ourselves in prayer of who we are in Christ—accepted, pardoned, and adopted into the family—given the Spirit, access in prayer, and assurance of resurrection. With this “aid against the enemy” we will gain the victory (verses 11–12).
Prayer: Lord, life is a battle with forces in the world that oppose you, with the residual sin and rebellion of my heart, and with the devil himself. Like David, let me look to your promises and sense your presence with me so I can face these spiritual enemies with confidence. Amen.