Moving Forward (Call forward II)

In Psalm 18 we read God's call to move forward.To trust him and step boldly out into what he has for us. God's kingdom is one that is forcefully advancing... There is so much in this scripture, but I want to narrow down to a few verses..
Psalm 18:31- 35
"For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights.
He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand supports me; your gentleness has made me great."

Some principles that I want to draw out of here, God has been bringing this scripture back to mind often. So i want to point out some of the main points that pop out at me.

1) God is a solid rock
-how much comfort we should be able to draw from the fact that our God is a SOLID ROCK. No matter the circumstances you find your self in, when all other things you had previously relied on , all you had put hope and trust in-even if and most likely WHEN they falter and shake, God doesnt. Even though that person that so influenced you for GOD is out of your life-GOD is not. Even though that ministry that was all that held you together, when that falls apart GOD DOES NOT. Our God does not change, he is always able to be trusted.

2)GOD arms me with strength
-when you think back over the things that you have tried to accomplish in your own strength, what do you remember? Perhaps a scary situation where you thought you had the upper hand and then were left to watch it fall apart.... maybe just failures? We can't try to do things in our own strength. When we rely on ourselves, or other human beings-failure is inevitable. But we have a God who doesn't fail, doesnt falter, and has no shifting within him as discussed above. Let God be the one to arm you with HIS strength and you will be able to scale a wall.

3)SUREFOOT as a deer
- this thought brings me to my previous blog "Isnt a sure footed slip better than in ill fated fall?" I had been reading Hinds Feet On High Places, and its gives this beautiful picture of how God leads us across the dangerous, rocky, unsure times in our lives and makes our way safe. He gives us grace to walk across these times and not need fear-because he is leading us. Just follow in his footsteps.

4)HE prepares me for battle
- Notice this doesnt say he prepares us in the midst of battle, even when we arent in the middle of the battle, God is preparing us. We need to recognize that there is a battle to be fought and we need to actively take part-but let God prepare us. He wont ever put us through something that he hasnt already previously equipped us with the ability to handle. This doesnt promise an easy route, but one that we can overcome. The preparation for a battle can be hard, uncomfortable and inconvenient, but when the enemy attacks you are glad you are well equipped.

5)Shielded support in gentleness
-I think this portion speaks to how we must constantly turn back to God and recognize his hand in all our victories. We must recognize what the shield of salvation is. And what could it be other than to say, that above all else, because of our salvation-because we have Jesus Christ as our Saviour-he is our ultimate protection, he is our ultimate shelter. A shield that keeps us from the enemy's arrows that are aimed at our hearts. God's support is all in all what holds us up. Even if we are wounded, if we stumble you can see this picture of God swinging your arm around his shoulder and supporting you as you continue on, again this reminder to take on Gods strength and not just your own. "Your gentleness has made me great." How does that fit into this verse? These scriptures about bronze bows, preparing for battle and leaping on dangerous mountain tops, how does gentleness fit here? It fits in that God's gentleness towards us is a continued testament to how we are blessed with any and everything that we are blessed with. If God didnt look on us with compassion where would we be? God's gentleness is his heart toward us, his heart of love and hope-and it is this very love and hope that gives us the victories in the battle.

So how about it, are you going to hear your Father God Commander's voice as he calls you forward into this battle. Will you trust in HIS UNSHAKABLE CHARACTER even when all else is falling apart? Will you rely on HIS STRENGTH and understand that yours alone wont ever be enough? Will you take a leap of faith and believe he will make you SUREFOOTED where ever you go as long as you are following him-even amidst the dangers of mountain heights?? Will you step up and let him TRAIN YOU AND PREPARE YOU FOR BATTLE?

He is calling you forward, will you respond?

"For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing joyfully to your name. You give great victories to your [kings]; you show unfailing love to your anointed.." -Ps 18:49-50