Read
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
Thanking the Lord
1Our Lord, your mighty power
makes the king glad,
and he celebrates victories
that you have given him.
2You did what he wanted most
and never told him “No.”
3You truly blessed the king,
and you placed on him
a crown of finest gold.
4He asked to live a long time,
and you promised him life
that never ends.
5The king is highly honored.
You have let him win victories
that have made him famous.
6You have given him blessings
that will last forever,
and you have made him glad
by being so near to him.
7Lord Most High,
the king trusts you,
and your kindness
keeps him from defeat.
8With your mighty arm, Lord,
you will strike down all
of your hateful enemies.
9They will be destroyed by fire
once you are here,
and because of your anger,
flames will swallow them.
10You will wipe their families
from the earth,
and they will disappear.
11All their plans to harm you
will come to nothing.
12You will make them run away
by shooting your arrows
at their faces.
13Show your strength, Lord,
so that we may sing
and praise your power.
Reflect
So much is said within these thirteen verses, but there is one in particular that I keep coming back to. It’s short and it doesn’t speak of fire or vengeance, of trust, or desires, or gold. All it says is this: “All their plans to harm you will come to nothing” (v 11), and I’ve found it to be one of the most comforting and confirming verses I’ve ever read.
“All their plans to harm you will come to nothing.”
Ten small words with a whole world of meaning behind them. In these ten small words, I’m told that anyone who is an enemy of God – anyone who is against him – will not succeed. Period. End of story. These ten small words have said the battle’s already been fought and won, and as a Christ follower, I can take comfort in knowing that I’m on the winning side.
There is evil in this world – but all its plans for harm will come to nothing. There are those who are fuelled on others’ fear, sorrow, and pain – but all their plans for harm will come to nothing. At times there is terror and mayhem – but all those plans for harm will come to nothing.
God has already won. We are the evidence of his victory. We are saved, thanks to his power and love. Now we have nothing to fear.
Respond
Triumphant Father, You have shown us your strength and you have shown us your love. We will sing and praise you, for you are victorious. Help us to live as people confident in your power, and saved by your grace. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Larissa Benfey
Larissa is a Toronto based actor and writer who has dabbled in everything from scripts to short stories, and is now setting her sights on novels. Having studied English and history at Tyndale University and Seminary, she loves a good story, but her favorite stories always have happy endings - which is part of why she loves the true story of the Gospel so much.