armed and at the ready

Psalm 144:1, "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

I'm a lover, not a fighter.  Truth be told, I'm a flat out "withdrawaler".  I avoid conflict as much as possible.  But total avoidance is not a reality. 

David was preparing or in a battle.  God had given him victory before and David prayed that God would deliver him again.  David was prepared because he knew the Lord.  He knew where to go for help.

God prepares us everyday for the small and big battles that come.  When I am in His Word every day, learning His character, His promises, His law, I am preparing for whatever battle that may come.  I am arming up.  When the trials come, the attacks come, the temptations come, God has readied me.  I can lean on Him for strength, answers, rest, peace and face the battle head on.  

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.