With God We Shall Do Valiantly
Psalm 108
July 31, 2022
Abraham Hong
Sermon Script
Christian life is hard. And one basic reason why is because we are to be like valiant soldiers.
We are at war and we are soldiers at war. We are soldiers at war against our old sinful selves as we put off sin and put on righteousness. We are soldiers at war against worldliness and the things of the world as we are not of the world. We are soldiers at war against the Devil and his spiritual forces of evil and darkness. The war has been won by our Lord Jesus Christ. But the war has not yet been finished.
And as soldiers - as good soldiers - of Christ Jesus, we are to be valiant. This means that we are to be courageous and determined and strong. Courageous and strong when we suffer for our King. Determined and strong when we live for our King. We are called to be like valiant soldiers.
This is not easy. It is not easy to be a valiant solider of our King. But Jesus loves us. And he encourages us today with his Word from Psalm 108.
In Psalm 108, the author is King David. And David was at war against his enemies. His enemies were the Moabites, the Edomites, and the Philistines. And they fought over the land that God gave to the nation of Israel.
So in Psalm 108, David expresses his confidence that God will help him to defeat his enemies and be valiant. David’s heart is steadfast. David will sing and give thanks and praise to God. David believes and is assured that God will defeat his enemies - making Moab into his washbasin, casting his shoe upon Edom, shouting in triumph over Philistia.
And why is David confident in God? Because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
But Psalm 108 is not ultimately about fighting earthly wars with earthly enemies and winning earthly land. Psalm 108 for us is ultimately an encouragement to be valiant soldiers of Christ as we face our true spiritual enemies in Christian life. The enemy that is our old sinful selves as we put off sin and put on righteousness. The enemy that is worldliness and the things of the world. The enemy that is the Devil and his spiritual forces of evil and darkness. These are our enemies as we wait for the kingdom of the new heavens and new earth.
And Psalm 108 reminds us that, with God, with remembering God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, we shall do valiantly.
Listen to these New Testament scripture texts that fulfill Psalm 108.
2 Timothy 2 says this. “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus…. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” And 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 says this. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies…. So we do not lose heart…. So we are always of good courage.”
Dear Highland, be encouraged and strengthened as you suffer from persecution. Jesus, the true king of all the psalms, suffered valiantly for your salvation. So do not lose heart. And be of good courage. With God we shall do valiantly. And God loves us. He is faithful. With God we shall do valiantly.
Ephesians 6 says this. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
Dear Highland, be encouraged and stand firm as you put off sin and strive to be holy and righteous. Jesus, the righteous king of all the psalms, was valiant in his obedience to the law for your salvation. So love not sin or yourself and love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. With God we shall do valiantly. And God loves us. He is faithful. With God we shall do valiantly.
And Hebrews 11 says this. “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth…. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”
Dear Highland, be encouraged and have faith. Have assurance of things hoped for. Have conviction of things not seen. Jesus, the true home and dwelling place of all the psalms, is valiant in his perseverance and sanctification of you as he valiantly builds his kingdom with his Word and gives us a valiant resurrection life. With God we shall do valiantly. And God loves us. He is faithful. With God we shall do valiantly.
So be a valiant husband or a valiant wife in your marriage. Be a valiant son or a valiant daughter toward your parents. Be the valiant brother or sister in Christ before your fellow church members. Be the valiant worker in your job or student in your school. Why? Because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Because we are soldiers of Christ Jesus.
So be valiant in reading the Bible and praying to God. Be valiant in your service and your sacrifice here at Highland and wherever you are. Be valiant as you learn endurance and commitment and courage and perseverance. Why? Because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Because we are at war.
So be valiant in your humility and in your relationships as you seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Be valiant in your fear of the Lord and in your integrity when no one is watching. Be valiant in your words, your thoughts, your decisions, your wisdom. Why? Because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Because we won the war.
Soli Deo Gloria