Silent Battles

 The silent battles 

13 June 2022

By Rev Kenneth Mtata 

Today's readings 

Psalm 124; 

Proverbs 7:1-4; 

Ephesians 4:7-16

Reflection text

Psalm 24

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—

    let Israel say—

2 if the Lord had not been on our side

    when people attacked us,

3 they would have swallowed us alive

    when their anger flared against us;

4 the flood would have engulfed us,

    the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters

    would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,

    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird

    from the fowler’s snare;

the snare has been broken,

    and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 24 highlights the victories we have won not because we fought battles, but because God fought on our behalf. God did this by taking our side in the battles against those attacking us and those angry with us. Their desre for us was not reconciliation but total destruction. They would only be satisfied if we had been totally destroyed. Thank God, God took our side. 

They were powerful enough to destroy us. They were able to destroy our reputations. They would have destroyed your families , our possessions and your hope. They were ready to execute their plan, but without your knowledge, God stopped their plans. 

God did not only protect us from human schemes but also from natural disasters. There were floods that could have swept us away. There were storms that could have stopped us from making progress. The natural disasters here could be in reference to many other human and nonhuman forces that can stand against life. God protected you and me from all of them. He continues to do so. 

The only appropriate response to this knowledge is praise. So the says the Psalmist. 

"Praise be to the Lord,

    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird

    from the fowler’s snare;

the snare has been broken,

    and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth."

Hallelujah indeed the snare has been broken. 

We are however aware of those who were destroyed. We were not better than them. We were spurred for a purpose.  Let's pick that purpose and run with it. 

Let's pray

God we are grateful for the secret battles you have won for us without us knowing.  You confused the camp of the enemies and diverted the floods of destruction away from us. For this we thank you.  Open our eyes so that we see a glimpse of our victory in you.

In Jesus Name, Amen