They did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them. (Psalm 44:3-4)
Previous to this verse is an acknowledgement that the Lord is the One who removed the different tribes and nations that had inhabited the land of Canaan’s prior to Israel’s arrival. And even though the armies of Israel were expected to engage their enemies, the psalmist makes it clear that victory was the Lord’s doing. Though numerous, Israel was not a military power in and of themselves; without the Lord, they were nothing. Because the Lord went before them to do battle is why they were able to inherit the land, which served as evidence that His favor was upon them.
To be more specific, as Joshua contemplated the conquest of Jericho, he encountered a man who stood before him with sword drawn. When Joshua inquired as to whether he was for them or against them, He said, “As Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (Joshua 5:14). The point is, in the most literal way, God was going before them to lead them to victory over their enemies. Even more specifically, the identity of this man is hinted at in the psalm — “It was Your right hand, Your arm” who did this.
As we all know, the phrase “right hand” is an expression used to denote the One who sits at God’s right hand — the Messiah. In other words, the pre-incarnate Son of Man was there to lead the armies of Israel into battle against those who stood in opposition to His Will. When God said that He would go before them, He was not speaking metaphorically — He was being literal. And so if that was true for Israel of old, is it not true for us today? None of us possesses the power to deliver ourselves or vanquish our enemy — when we obtain victory it is solely His doing because as it is written, “Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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