Psalm 60:12 NASB

Through God we shall do valiantly...

Now there's a note of victorious thinking!  But it is not made off the cuff.  It's made in the face of huge questions and difficulties.  In the earlier part of this chapter, the Psalmist sounds almost despairing as he speaks of Israel's plight, with a feeling that the adversary has gained the upper hand, bringing him to a desperate plea for the help he can't find in anyone else.  He cries out to God, saying,  " O give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain," (v.11).  It almost sounds as if he is throwing this last chance up in the air hoping it will produce something. Vance Havner tells of the woman who was facing some physical problems requiring medical attention.  The pastor, upon visiting her in the hospital and hearing her condition, said, "Let's pray".  She cried out, "Oh, has it come to that?"  Sadly, prayer, by some, is used either as a good luck charm or looked on as the last, hopeless recourse. But the statement, "through God we shall do valiantly", isn't any of that.  It isn't some empty verbiage spoken to at least sound spiritual in his hopeless fear.  This was a call to arms!  He aligned Himself with God, committed himself to His authority, and declared victory:  "it is He who will tread down our adversaries", (v.12b).  This is what the old-timers used to call "victorious Christian living!"  Do you know what they were talking about?  As I listen to many, these days, who speak of sin and defeat in their "Christian" lives, as if it's the norm, I think we could use a good dose of good old victorious Christian living again.  Do you know that this is what God actually intended for His children? Why are we settling for less than God's best?  As I was growing up, my father was determined to lift our faith to a higher level.  His favorite Hymn during family worship time was "Victory in Jesus" and, to this day, it's words and tune still reverberate in my heart and mind.  More than that, I realized that my dad really believed this and, what's more, I saw him live it.  Where in the world did he get such an idea?  Well, in a thousand places and more in God's word.  Luke 1:74-75 for one.  Listen to what Zacharias' says about Jesus:  "to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear; in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days."  Yes!  Victory in Jesus!  We would do well to take this up in our lives and actually believe it again.  But more than that, to actually live it because all of God is behind it.  "Through God we shall do valiantly..."  Amen!