For He Loved Me

“It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.”
Psalms 44:3

…”For you loved them.” 

That line brings such warmth to my heart. 

There are so many battles we fight in life. Some of them are physical, some spiritual.  And for most of them, we think it’s US doing all of the fighting.

We think it’s US waging the battle. Whatever it is, that has been placed before us, we feel like we have our swords drawn… daily.

And, maybe we do.  But we certainly aren’t in the battle alone. We aren’t waging the fight… alone. And WE aren’t the ones who bring about any victory.

There is a whole spiritual realm fighting for us. Fighting WITH us. And it’s those swords that bring about our victory. 

We can pray mightily. Fight mightily. We can muster all of the courage in the world. And those things, I reckon, will probably help us grow, learn, and become even stronger. 

But the battles are won, most times, because God simply loves us and wants to give us the victory.

We think there must be more. But there’s not. 

God does things for us simply because He loves us and He desires to bless us. 

He doesn’t want to see us defeated. He likes to encourage us, and reveal His glory to us.

Yes, I believe He wants us to get on our knees and pray. I believe He wants us to use what tools He’s given us in our faith, to fight the wars in our lives. But I think those things are there, more for our own spiritual growth and walk, than they are for end results, really.

In our own strength, we are so feeble. Do we really think it’s US that deserves the victory? 

Or God?

If I think I’ve done “enough” of something to win a battle, then it’s too easy for the focus to be on myself and what I can do.., then on what my God can do. And in fact, on what He DID.

So what a tender reminder this verse is for me to remember, that it is not by MY might but by God’s, that wins the battles and wars in my life.

And He does it for one simple reason.

Love.

For He loved me.