As for God, his way is perfect:
(Ps. 18:30-36 NIV)
the Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
The Psalmist acknowledges God’s way is perfect. The way of the Lord was set out in Psalm 1. There is no hint of a flaw in the LORD’s Word. When we come to God for refuge we are not disappointed because He provides shelter. God is our shield. The Psalmist exclaims ‘who is God besides the LORD’. This verse is what leads me to often say in the prayer of invocation, ‘there is only one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit’. There is no possibility of accommodating any other god of any other religion, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the rock of our salvation, to whom else can we go, because only God has the Words of salvation. God arms us with the strength we need to engage in the spiritual battles that we are called to participate in. The Lord guides the Psalmist’s feet onto the path that he should take, and he makes him surefooted so that he does not stumble on that path. God guides our path and causes us to stand. The metaphors that David uses are interesting when they are combined. He is swift like a deer, but has incredible strength to even bend a bronze bow. In every area where the Psalmist needs assistance the Lord provides that aid. God provides the whole armour of God to enable us to stand firm.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(Eph. 6:10-17 NIV)
The Psalmist speaks of his hands being trained for battle. The Lord equips all His people and brings us through training that prepares us for what lies ahead. The Lord does not engage us in the spiritual battle to see us fail. The Lord provides a pathway that is wide enough so that our ankles do not give way. The Psalmist was great in what he did, but this was all attributed to the Lord. The Lord has done great things for us and has made our hearts glad.
Every aspect of our lives is equipped by God, helping us to succeed in our walk with God. Any success we have in our Christian lives is as a result of the Divine empowerment.
Prayer
O Lord our God there is no god beside You. We offer no praise or worship to any other, because You alone have brought salvation to us. Lord open our eyes so that we can see the way that you have equipped us, and help us to be strong in our Lord and to walk in the path that You have set before us. For we pray in the name of Jesus Christ.