“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” (Psalm 27:5,6)
What David learned as a shepherd found spiritual application in his life. Likewise, his experience as a mighty warrior. David was frequently under attack by persistent enemies. Their tactic was to wear him out and do him in when he was weak and weary; but at such times he discovered the rejuvenating strength of his God. He was confident that the Lord was going to come through for him. Even if an army was chasing him, his head would be lifted up above the hordes who were moving in for the kill. They would stumble and fall.
What gave David such confidence in the midst of the most harrowing ordeals? Did he boast of his own ability to withstand his enemies? Far from it. The Lord was his light and salvation. The Lord heard his desperate cry for help and had mercy upon him. Even when those closest to him were nowhere to be found, the Lord took him up. His God would not deliver him over to the will of his enemies. His confidence in the Lord was connected to his experiences of God coming through for him at the lowest, most frightening moments of his life.
Did David play any part in such rescuing? Absolutely! His one desire was to dwell in the secret of God’s tabernacle – beholding His beauty and enquiring in His temple. When God told him it was time to diligently seek His face, David responded affirmatively. He knew he could not be ignorant of his enemies’ devices. He needed the Lord to teach him how to go forward, leading him in a plain path. And most of all, he needed to believe that as he waited on the Lord, he would see God’s goodness in the land of the living. With such expectation, the man after God’s heart gained the strength and courage he needed not to surrender or retreat.
We wrestle not against flesh and blood. The enemy of our soul would devour us in a day of trouble. We can in such a day be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. But if we are to stand we must take unto ourselves the equipping He has given us – the Lord’s righteousness; His Word and Faith that comes by it; Hope arising from that faith; and the precious ministry of the Paraclete to our spirit. If we don’t let the Lord so equip us, the enemy will surely strip us of what we need to successfully resist him.
Are you under attack? The Lord is surely calling you to draw near to Him, so He can powerfully draw near to you. Submit yourself to His kindly care and protection. Receive His comfort and counsel and correction if need be. In so doing you will find the strength to resist the enemy. He will flee, and you will sing with David, “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” (Psalm 144:1).