Disciplines of the faith are the foundations of our spiritual defense, especially when we’re in a battle.
Psalm 48
A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah.
1 How great is the LORD,
how deserving of praise,
in the city of our God,
which sits on his holy mountain!
2 It is high and magnificent;
the whole earth rejoices to see it!
Mount Zion, the holy mountain,
is the city of the great King!
3 God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers,
revealing himself as its defender.
4 The kings of the earth joined forces
and advanced against the city.
5 But when they saw it, they were stunned;
they were terrified and ran away.
6 They were gripped with terror
and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.
7 You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish
shattered by a powerful east wind.
8 We had heard of the city’s glory,
but now we have seen it ourselves—
the city of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
It is the city of our God;
he will make it safe forever. Interlude
9 O God, we meditate on your unfailing love
as we worship in your Temple.
10 As your name deserves, O God,
you will be praised to the ends of the earth.
Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
11 Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.
Let all the towns of Judah be glad
because of your justice.
12 Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.
Walk around and count the many towers.
13 Take note of the fortified walls,
and tour all the citadels,
that you may describe them
to future generations.
14 For that is what God is like.
He is our God forever and ever,
and he will guide us until we die.
For the most part, Psalm 48 remembers God’s magnificence in who He is, where He lives, what He’s done, and how He keeps us safe. The magnificent and holy city of God, Jerusalem, which sits on His holy mountain, Mount Zion, is the city of the great King of kings! It goes from praising God to witnessing His amazing power in battle, destroying or overcoming the enemy. Then in verse 9 we see meditating on God’s unfailing love and worshipping in His temple.
For today’s thoughts, look at verses 12-13:
Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.
Walk around and count the many towers.
13 Take note of the fortified walls,
and tour all the citadels,
that you may describe them
to future generations.
That caught my attention as it felt somehow different. It wasn’t about what we’ve heard or seen or experienced of the amazing Lord of Heaven’s Armies; but suddenly it’s about what we’re to do!
I checked the Study Notes in my Bible and found the following note:
“In times of great joy or after God has brought us through some great trial, we ought to inspect our defenses to make sure that the foundations—faith in God, knowledge of His Word, and the fellowship and prayers of the body of believers—remain strong (Ephesians 2:20-22). Then we should praise God for his protection!”
What battles or trials have you come through lately? Chemo treatment? Other serious illnesses? Loss of finances? Loss of one or more loved ones? Grief of any variety? Or maybe God is bringing you through a series of decisions and steps and trials to get you to where He wants you – like school or college, a certain job, a wedding, a ministry. What are you going through?
And when you get there, are you just going to pat yourself on the back and feel good about making it? No! You’re going to praise the Lord for His protection and guidance and power and plan!
Whenever you go through a battle or a trial or a series of trials you need to do an inspection of your foundations! After every mountain-top experience and after every battle, we need to take inventory.
You’ve heard of taking mental inventory when you’ve been through a difficult mind-bending debate or an important test (for instance). And you know what physical inventory is – that’s like when you fall off a ladder in your yard and you lay there for a moment and check your bones, your breathing, your pain level – to make sure you’re not broken, but still strong.
But what about taking spiritual inventory when you’ve been through some spiritual battle? It may have seemed like a physical thing or a mental thing, but any time you might need to do a mental inventory or a physical inventory, do the spiritual inventory as well – just to make sure!
Inspect your foundations: Make sure you’re spiritually intact in your faith, in God’s Word and promises, and in fellowship and prayer.
Remain strong and then Praise God for bringing you through.
