WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: As we turn to this psalm, reflect on the power of our God who blesses us in abundance and who will ‘give you what your heart desires’ (v 4, The Message).

Acceptable violence
I think that as a society we are in danger of believing there is an acceptable level of violence. I experienced this as one who lived through the conflict in Northern Ireland, when a good news day was one that made no mention of a bombing.

It was as though I’d been given an inoculation against violence. The result was that over time only the most heinous incidents retained the power to shock.

True power
In every generation there have been people who have put their ‘trust in chariots … and in horses’ (v 7a), rather than ‘in the name of the Lord our God’ (v 7b). On many occasions King David had to resort to arms, but in this psalm he reminds God’s people where true power lies.

It is in the Lord who ‘saves his anointed’ (v 6). It is only through the power of God that his people will be protected (v 1), helped (v 2) and their lives blessed (v 4). It is possible to achieve much through human power, but ultimately the gains will be temporary and ‘the chariots will rust, the horses (will) pull up lame’ (v 8, The Message).

Respond: ‘Lord, you know my heart. Help me look to you for strength in times of distress and help me to put my trust in you and not “in chariots and horses”.’

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-06-10