A Strong Defense - Psalm 119:42
Psalm 119:42 “then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word”
How often do the saints of God feel ill equipped to answer those who come against our Lord? How quickly do we become dismayed with feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, and weakness that overcome us when we are opposed by infidels? This is an all-to-often occurrence for the redeemed, but it ought not be. When we, by God’s free and encompassing grace are redeemed, and his promises are made visible, we are ready at once to answer any objection, to give rejoinders to all skeptical quibbles, and defend against all contemptuous sneers. For this is one reason for our redemption: that the revilers of God would be answered, shown their folly, and astounded by the magnificence of Jehovah. For when the temple of the living God is scorned, so too is the one who abides in it.
And here we see where David has placed his trust. It isn’t in his sword, or his army, or chariots that David hoped, but it was decisively in the promises of God and their fulfillment in his own life. He was able to look at the trials about him and know that if they were to be won it would be by faith in the Lord and his goodness toward his servant. David’s faith in the Lord was his best defense, and it too, is ours. By faith David was able to conquer kingdoms, obey the Lord’s commands, glorify his God, and see another day.
It is the promises of God, and his faithfulness to keep them, that shows the most conclusive proof of his existence. With the hand of faith, we receive the many mercies of God, and by this the mouths of lions are shut. For it is the most conclusive evidence when the dogs that encompass us see that our prayers have been heard, and our needs have been met, and God’s promises kept, and the heart of wicked men changed, that all their powers of logic are forced to bow at the evidence of these bare facts.
David was sure of this even as standing armies enclosed him. How much more ought we to delight in this same proof, this same faith, as we are encircled by myriad trials even now? We have seen the proof of God in David’s own life. We ought to say with the psalmist, “What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:4) for we serve a God who delights to do the remarkable, the astonishing, the exceptional, all for his children! Rejoice oh loved one, for you have a father who delights to give good gifts to his children!
S.D.G.
