It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. (Psalm 18:32-34)
Here is a saying I like to remind people of from time to time: God has never chosen a perfect person; He perfects those He has chosen. We see this truth from the beginning. Consider Noah: he found grace in the eyes of the LORD and was a preacher of righteousness. At the same time, he allowed himself to be compromised when he decided to have too much wine one day. Abraham is the model that all of God’s people are to look to as an example worthy to follow. At the same time, Abraham was known to conceal certain details when he thought his life was on the line. We could go on and on with examples but the point is, again, God never chooses perfect people — he chooses imperfect people like you and me.
David was no different from the rest of us in that regard — that is evident to see. But in all these examples, we see that as God shapes and molds us into what He wants us to be, He also gives us the tools and abilities we need to endure the perfection process. As David said, the LORD strengthens us to do what He has called us to do. He clears our path — “makes my way perfect” — by removing all unnecessary obstacles so that we might come into the fruition of our purpose. By the Power of His Spirit, He enables us to be as surefooted as a doe as we follow the narrow and troublesome path He has ordained for us. And because His promise and purpose will be met with resistance from the forces of darkness, He gives us the spiritual might to fight the inevitable battles that will come our way.
In short, when God calls upon us to do something, He will not leave us to do it in our own strength or without the necessary skills to complete the call. He gives us what we need in order to do what He has planned for our lives. Considering this, I can’t help but think of the Great Commission given to all of Messiah’s followers — “Go make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). But before sending His disciples out into the world to do that, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the power of the Holy Spirit. They would need that power in order to be authentic and forceful witnesses in the world. Likewise, we need that Power as we seek to fulfill the mission.
Like David, we acknowledge that God is the One who strengthens us to fulfill His purpose in our lives. He is the One who established the path for our lives and, accordingly, He is One who enables us to stay on that path. He gives power and strength to we who are imperfect, and in so doing, prompts us to press forward toward the “high places” which is “the prize of the upward call of God in Messiah” (Philippians 3:14).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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