Daily Devotions
Psalms
Psalm 60:4a "You have given a banner to those who fear You..."
Day 215 – Psalm 60
“You have given a banner to those who fear You…” Psalm 60:4a
WAR FLAGS
Ancient battles were fought differently than modern wars. We have an intimation of how ancient wars were fought in the following text.
“You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth.
That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and hear me.”
Psalm 60:4-5
1. “You have given a banner”
a) This hints at God as the Commander-in-Chief.
b) He is the Giver of the war banners (“war flags”).
c) These war banners were meant to do a number of things.
i) They were to boost the morale of the troops.
ii) They were meant to be rallying points.
iii) As long as the banners (flags) were kept flying high, soldiers fought courageously.
2. “To those who fear You”
a) The battles of the Lord were righteous ones.
b) Those who feared the Lord understood these “just wars”.
c) Truth (and justice) was always at stake.
3. “That Your beloved may be delivered”
a) This was the special hope of those who stood on the Lord’s side.
b) The Lord’s beloved was at war for His cause and may be assured of Divine deliverance.
4. “Save with Your right hand, and hear me”
a) The protection of the Lord however was never meant to be taken for granted.
b) Thus each battle must see the king and his men seek the Lord in prayer for His blessing.
5. God’s answer to prayer
This was clearly observed and faithfully recorded. The Lord preserved the life of David in his many battles against wicked enemies (1 Samuel 8:6, 14).