The Reluctant Warrior

The writer of this psalm felt deceived and attacked. He faced people with “lying lips” and deceitful tongues. Their words and actions had wounded him.

Filled with emotion, he cried to God, whose response may have surprising. His answer? What would be given to him? “Sharp arrows of the warrior, with the burning coals of the broom tree” (v. 4). This was difficult for him, since, in his heart, he really desired peace. But he realized that he needed to take a stand, not compromise, and fight for what was right.

The Bible tells us that it is important to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:4), and that there is a “time for every purpose under heaven.” A time for peace, but also for war (Ecclesiastes 3:1-10). And, there are times when, like the psalmist, we must take a stand.

In every situation, we need to be sure first to seek God’s Kingdom, not just to fight for the sake of fighting. We must be confident that we can turn to God whenever we experience opposition, no matter what others say or do, when we stand for truth. But we must also be ready to stand up for our faith. Not to back down.

Have you been wounded by something someone else has said or done? Commit these situations to God. Make sure that you seek peace and that your heart is filled with God’s love. But remember that you are a soldier in God’s army. Be ready to fight for truth, as He directs you. And, when you fight, fight with intensity. And fight to win!