Christian Living

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Ps. 108:13, "Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is who shall tread down our enemies." In the Psalm David is speaking of his human enemies, yet I'm sure that he realized those enemies were motivated by the master enemy that we all face on a daily basis, the Devil. David was aquatinted with the Devil's methods, I am sure.

The enemies we face today are varied in each of our lives. Some face financial problems. Some face family problems. Some face peer problems. Some face fear problems. Some face health problems. Some face job problems. Some face -- you fill in the blank. We all face some sort of problems, almost on a daily basis.

All of these different types of problems are shown in the book of Job, and in the first chapter it is evident that the Devil has power in all of these areas of the believers life. The joy that we can know from Job is the fact that there was nothing that the Devil could do without God's specific permission. Any problem that we face, we can know we face because God has allowed it to come our direction to test and strengthen us in our walk with Him.

David states quite clearly that we can do valiantly if we do it through God. Valiant according to Webster means, "possessing or acting with bravery or boldness." Valiantly is Strong's number 2428 (twot 624a) and is the Hebrew term "hayil" which means "might" according to the Theological Word Book of the Old Testament. It is also translated "men of wealth," "man of power," "able men," "man of might." This would indicate the aspect of powerful as well as courageous.

Indeed, the power of God being behind us can certainly give us courage to face the things that the Devil brings our way. I think that courageous determination might be a good outworking of the term. Facing all problems with a courageous determination to get through them with God's help. This results in those around us seeing and realizing that our God allows us to be brave and courageous in the face of problems.

The last phrase of the verse mentions that He - God will tread down our enemies. He expects us as individuals to face our problems head-on and do what we can to eliminate them, but ultimately we need to be calling upon Him for his assistance and strength!

Martin Luther as he was about to enter the hall where he would be judged was stopped by an old knight that had fought many valiant fights. The knight said to Luther, "Poor monk, poor monk! thou art now going to make a nobler stand that I or any other captains have ever made in the bloodiest of our battles. But if thy cause is just, and thou art sure of it, go forward in God's name, and fear nothing. God will not forsake thee." (From D'Augigne as quoted in "6,000 Sermon Illustrations" by Foster.)

"...go forward in God's name, and fear nothing. God will not forsake thee."

Let's remember that, "Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is who shall tread down our enemies."