You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. Psalm 21:3 (NLT)
David was a warrior King. He fought many battles and enjoyed great success. King David wrote Psalm 21 out of his own experience with God – he knew God did welcome him back and David came back to a crown of finest gold.
What is your reception like when you come back from battle? Whether it is a difficult meeting, a much-needed but not-looking-forward-to-it confrontation, a vacation that was anything but a vacation, or a spiritual battle that left you weary – it is good to come home to a hearty welcome.
To come home to the familiar fire, comfort food and a hug is what plays in my mind when I am away. And in time, a retelling of the battle, with maybe a few embellishments thrown in. Much like a fisherman telling his wife of his day’s adventures of size and quantity of the day’s catch. It gets bigger with each telling. But it does make for a good story and a laugh.
God enjoys listening to us as well – Hebrews 4:16 invites us into His throne room. We will find the mercy and grace we need, but it is also a place for chatting with God. A place to just be. And to receive the crown of finest gold.
Living a life for God includes receiving crowns, joy, and acknowledgement from our heavenly Father. He gives us a voice – like He did with the woman with the issue of blood. Many wanted to quiet and dismiss her, but Jesus wanted to hear of her victory. He gave her a crown of finest gold for her faith – healing. (See Mark 5:21-34)
God gave two spies these crowns. When the others heard of the reconnaissance journey, they zoomed in on the giants and settled in with fear. Not so with Joshua and Caleb – and they received the crown of finest gold. They entered in the Promised Land. They believed, they stood firm and God rewarded their faith. (See Numbers 13-14)
Life is hard. At times it is one battle after another; other times battles are few with much time in between. Some are bloody with a massive dead body count, while others are scrapes with just a few bruises.
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7 (NLT)
Paul writes that we are to work in this life with enthusiasm – eagerness, joy, and with the right attitude. Not like I have been doing lately. It seems my complaining is getting the better of me. The longer this battle of affliction goes on, the harder it is for me to be accepting of it. I find myself complaining more, frustrated with myself for complaining, and at times feeling like I cannot get off the whining merry-go-round.
What is the solution? How can one muster up enthusiasm when just getting out of bed is a chore? I am no expert, and I fail all the time, but I am all ears for suggestions.
However, I do know the answer lies in faith, hope, trust, belief, and obedience. With a healthy dose of worship of God thrown in. In looking at Psalm 21, David begins with:
How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. Psalm 21:1 (NLT)
David acknowledges God and rejoices in His strength. He openly admits the battle was fought in God’s strength and not his own. He was working for the Lord and did it with enthusiasm. He was a warrior through and through. It was not GI Joes on a mock battleground, but the real McCoy and God was with him every step of the way giving him victory after victory.
Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Ephesians 6:8 (NLT)
God gives us opportunities to fight on battlefields to give Him honor. To say, “The battle is the Lord’s!” To acknowledge God as our Warrior God and to carry home the spoils – a deeper walk with God, honest faith, longer prayer times, and a love for mankind that was going to extinction but got revived.
Are you in a battle and weary?
Can you work with all your might for the Lord and look forward to the crown of finest gold? Can you praise God from the middle of the war zone and say He is good?
Yes, it may be hard, but God will give you the strength to do it as nothing is impossible for the Lord (Luke 1:37).
PRAYER
O God, my Warrior God. You know battles as you fight my battles. You are an amazing Warrior. Thank You for being with me in mine - in front, beside me and behind. You go before me as well. Thank You for the crown of finest gold waiting for me after each battle. But my most important crown is the ability to worship You and lay myself at Your feet. In the surpassing Name of Jesus, AMEN.