Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 60
This is called a “didactic Psalm” a Psalm for teaching. It seems that David had gone to the north to fight the enemies of Israel and while he and his armies were in the north, the armies of Edom attacked from the south. So when David returned he found Judah in shambles from the attack of the armies of Edom. David and Joab then attacked Edom and destroyed it as God gave them the victory; all this to teach that only when God fought for them would they really have victory. David was the greatest warrior king in Israel’s history and led the Israelites to victories over all their enemies. However, he learned that it was God Who brought them the victory not their prowess and fighting ability.
I have learned that when I think I am walking in victory that I am the most vulnerable to attack. When things are going great, I need to be aware of my dependency on the Lord. In verses 1-5 David describes how he felt when he came home to defeat. It seemed as if God had forsaken them and given them the wine of drunkenness instead of the drink of celebration. The land was torn up and fractured needing God to restore it. Verse 4 is hard to understand as it can be thought of as a sarcastic comment or a victorious statement. Either they came home with banners flying to the defeat of the bow, or God gave them the banners of victory in the face of the bow of the enemy. Either interpretation leads us to the prayer of verse 5: “Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.”(NIV) This is the turning point in this Psalm and brings us to the promises of God for victory and deliverance from the enemy. In verses 6-8 we are given the pictures of a God Who holds it all in His hand and is in total control of the land of Israel and the victory over their enemies. But David needed to learn to stand on those promises and realize that the God Who allowed defeat could turn and bring them victory.(vs. 9-10)
The Lesson was learned and the trust and dependency returned to God. Psalms 60:11-12, 11 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. 12
With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.(NIV) Remember that no matter how bad it gets, even when we have lost some battles, the promises of God to fight for us is still true and God is in control of the war.
Father, Thank You for Your patience in teaching us to trust and depend upon You. You have never lost control of any situation I find myself in. It may seem that You have forgotten me, but You are in control and always have a plan for victory in the face of defeat. Help me to learn the lesson of total dependency on You! In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob