Desperate for Personal Victory
Psalm 108 is a warrior's morning prayer for victory. David who had a long fight with the Edomites has awoken up early to seek God's deliverance from them once and for all.
Psalm 108:1–4 (ESV) 1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! 2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
The state of David's heart is strong. He is steadfast. But why? Because God's love is steadfast. God is faithful to David in love. In fact, David's name means, "beloved." It is interesting that David is the only "David" in the Bible! No one else carries that name. Perhaps this was the reason behind John's reference to himself as "the disciple Jesus loved." People who know they are loved by God last a long time, like David and John.
David needs help for victory of Edom (See verse 10). He's looking for help because Edom was a tremendously fortified nation with narrow passage ways that gave natural defense to even the strongest of armies. Only two horses could come through these passages giving any defensive unit a strong advantage. It was at the Rock of Petra where they filmed the final scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
How to pray for victory when you are desperate:
First, David will praise God! He will worship and sing first even when he is in desperate need. He's not going to fight the battles of the Lord without first extolling the Lord.
Psalm 108:5–6 (ESV) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me!
Second, David knows he needs help. He needs God. But he's not after personal glory here. No, David has started his petition with God's glory in mind. God's glory is David's aim in battle. That's first! In our own battles through life, do we make that the priority? Or are we simply looking for relief so that we can get on "on our own?"
Third, David recalls God's promises.
Psalm 108:7–9 (ESV) 7 God has promised in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth...upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
David knows God's Word and is acting on it. He knows God's promise came to Jacob and not Esau or his descendants, the people of Edom. There's faith in what God has said and there action accordingly.
Finally David presents his requests with deep reliance on God.
Psalm 108:12–13 (NLT) Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. 13 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.
What a terrific formula for prayer when we need victory:
Praise God.
Prioritize God's Glory.
Recall God's Promises.
Present your requests.
That'll preach.
Amen.
Psalm 108:1–4 (ESV) 1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! 2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
The state of David's heart is strong. He is steadfast. But why? Because God's love is steadfast. God is faithful to David in love. In fact, David's name means, "beloved." It is interesting that David is the only "David" in the Bible! No one else carries that name. Perhaps this was the reason behind John's reference to himself as "the disciple Jesus loved." People who know they are loved by God last a long time, like David and John.
David needs help for victory of Edom (See verse 10). He's looking for help because Edom was a tremendously fortified nation with narrow passage ways that gave natural defense to even the strongest of armies. Only two horses could come through these passages giving any defensive unit a strong advantage. It was at the Rock of Petra where they filmed the final scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
How to pray for victory when you are desperate:
First, David will praise God! He will worship and sing first even when he is in desperate need. He's not going to fight the battles of the Lord without first extolling the Lord.
Psalm 108:5–6 (ESV) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me!
Second, David knows he needs help. He needs God. But he's not after personal glory here. No, David has started his petition with God's glory in mind. God's glory is David's aim in battle. That's first! In our own battles through life, do we make that the priority? Or are we simply looking for relief so that we can get on "on our own?"
Third, David recalls God's promises.
Psalm 108:7–9 (ESV) 7 God has promised in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth...upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
David knows God's Word and is acting on it. He knows God's promise came to Jacob and not Esau or his descendants, the people of Edom. There's faith in what God has said and there action accordingly.
Finally David presents his requests with deep reliance on God.
Psalm 108:12–13 (NLT) Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. 13 With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.
What a terrific formula for prayer when we need victory:
Praise God.
Prioritize God's Glory.
Recall God's Promises.
Present your requests.
That'll preach.
Amen.
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