Day 358: Psalm 60- Banner

To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.
O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. 2 You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. 3 You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger. 4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah

5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us! 6 God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. 8 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. 11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 12 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
 
 
Meditation
God’s word meets us in our deepest places of brokenness and strengthens our hearts with hope of deliverance. God hears our cries for deliverance and offers salvation!
 
David felt rejected, broken, vulnerable, and longing for restoration (1). The earth felt like it was shaking under his feet (2). Hard things were happening (3). People were staggering (4). The Lord is gracious and lifts a banner for all who believe.
 
A “Banner” is set up for those who fear the Lord, turning to Him for salvation (Exodus 17:15). “Banner” is a word of hope in judgment (Numbers 21:8), a signal of salvation for all who believe (Isaiah 11:10).
 
The beloved of God are delivered (5), but not so His enemies, those who do not trust in God’s word of salvation (6-9).
 
Jesus says, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (the signal of salvation!) so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes may be saved” (John 3:14-15). Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
 
God has not rejected you (10). He lifts up a banner of hope, a signal of salvation. Take your eyes off your circumstances and put them on Jesus! Put your heart in His hands and join the song of redeemed peoples- Salvation belongs to our God!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you identify with David’s description of life in verse 1? How?
 
-The Lord is gracious to lift a banner for His people, a signal of salvation. Take a moment to pray, asking the Father to turn your eyes from your struggles to Jesus, looking to Him alone for salvation and strength.
 
-Jesus says that “whomever” looks to Him can be saved. Do you know someone who does not know Jesus but needs to see God’s signal of salvation? Pray the Lord will open a door in conversation with this person and call them sometime in the next few days.
 
Key Verse
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah