Facing Armies of Trouble

Psalm 60 begins with words that tell us that it was written at the time of one of Israel's greatest victories.  Looking backwards, the triumph seems assured.  Looking forward, from David's perspective, there was grave doubt.  The Arameans were no small fighting force.  The Edomites had 12,000 to fight Joab- a huge number in those days.  And it wasn't just the quality of the enemy that put the whole project in doubt.  It was also Israel's recent history.  In verses 1-3 and in verse 10, David makes it very clear that these battles came at a tough time for both the armies and the nation.  Anticipating these battles, David knew he was in for no easy time.  In Psalm 60, David beseeches God for help.  He asks the Lord to intervene on behalf of Israel against her enemies.

Like David, our lives often present us with daunting prospects, enemies too large and too numerous to be slain by us.  Typically, we don't face pagan armies.  But we do face problems in our homes, our relationships, our health, our jobs for which there are no easy answers.  Like David, we need to pray.  We need to invoke God's help on our behalf.

There are three reasons that David felt free to invoke God's help in his time of need:

     1. He knew he was doing God's will.  David wasn't just fighting because that is what kings were supposed to do.  He was fighting to settle the full boundaries of the Promised Land as God had instructed the people of Israel to do when they first came to the country God had given them.  Too often, we pray for God to bless our will not His.  But when we are doing what He desires, then we can seek His power and strength.

     2. He trusted in God's love.  In verse 5, David prays, "Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered" (NIV, 1984).  David knew God loved Israel as God's covenant people so he prayed boldly.  We as Christians know that we are loved as God's covenant people because of Jesus.  We can invoke His help in all our struggles.

     3.  He had God's promise.  In verses 6-8, David recalls what God has said in His Word.  He remembers that God had promised the land of other nations to Israel.  Thus, he is bold in the fight.  God has also given us great promises in His Word.  Like David, we should cling to those in times of trouble. 

When we face great enemies, we should not be discouraged.  Instead, we should pray.  We should stay in God's will through obedience.  We should find comfort in His love.  We should hold to God's promises.