Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Devotional: February 23rd

Psalms 144:1-15

"Teach me to do thy will" was the prayer in Psalms 143:10. He "teacheth my hands to war . . .," David says here. The spiritual warfare of the Christian also has its "laws" (2 Timothy 2:5) and every believer who wants to please "him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" must in a sense go through military training. However he does not rely for victory on experience gained or on his courage. He declares here that the LORD Himself is "my fortress; my high tower . . . my shield, and he in whom I trust" (v. 2).

The deliverance from on high which will come in response to the cry of the remnant (vv. 5-11) will finally open the door to the blessings of the Millennium (vv. 12-15). Let us never forget that, in contrast to Israel, an earthly people, the blessings of the Christian are spiritual: "in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Consequently they are – like Christ – beyond the reach of the trials we experience down here and it is possible for us to enjoy these blessings even amidst the worst difficulties. Conversely, if everything seems to be going well for us as to our health, our business and our family lives, we should not conclude that our soul is prospering too, nor that we have the Lord’s approval. Sadly, it could well be quite the opposite.