Strength to bend a bronze bow. That’s what David says God gives in Psalm 18. In this psalm David declares God to be his rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, and salvation. David says God enables him to stand on rocky paths with feet as sure as a deer’s.

I have always loved the imagery of this psalm. Feet like deer which enable us to climb rocky paths. Strength which enables us to bend a bow of bronze.

One spring morning as Pilot and I watched mountain goats run up the side of the Rocky Mountains, rocks sliding down the hill beneath their feet, I saw first hand what it means to have feet like deer which enable us to stand on the rocky heights without falling.

After bending an ordinary bow made of hard wood to string it, I know bending a bow of bronze requires strength beyond my human ability.

David cried out to God, and God drew him out of the depths. God rescued David from his foes. He turned David’s darkness into light. Then God trained David’s arms for battle once again, giving him the strength to bend a bronze bow. 

How many times has God drawn us out of the depths and rescued us? How often has he turned our darkness into light? When God rescues, the battle isn’t over. It’s merely a pause. In that time of rest, God prepares us with strength and surefootedness to climb the next rocky path that lies ahead.

I long to have the strength to bend a bow of bronze, and the feet to climb the rocky mountains with surefootedness, don’t you? To long for the strength to handle the bronze bows and mountains of the everyday battles we face.

What was true with David is true with us. After God rescues, he isn’t finished. He gives us time to recover. As we recover, he trains and prepares us for our next battle. For surely, there will be a next battle.

What battles do you feel God is training you for, giving you the strength to bend a bronze bow to accomplish?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. Psalm 18:32-36

You can find my August Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Photo by Alireza Sahebi on Unsplash