Scriptures for Spiritual Victory #29

 

Psalm 18 is a longer Psalm, because David has a lot to celebrate. It is a reflection on the years of battle he had been through, both with enemies like the Philistines, and on the run from King Saul. Finally, David has had victory over them all, and is able to look back and see God's guiding, strengthening, and protecting hand. He says in verse

39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
    you made those who rise against me sink under me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
    and those who hated me I destroyed.
41 They cried for help, but there was none to save;
    they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
    I cast them out like the mire of the streets.
43 You delivered me from strife with the people;
    you made me the head of the nations;
    people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
    foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart
    and came trembling out of their fortresses.
46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—

Throughout the Psalm David says "I was able to do this, I defeated them, I beat them to the dust...", but in the final analysis he keeps coming back to reality: You equipped me with strength; You made my enemies turn their backs and run; You delivered me; You made me King.  David keeps erupting with songs like 46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,

    and exalted be the God of my salvation—

David looks back on all his victories on the way to becoming king, and realizes it all boils down to this: Lord, you did it.