November 7

”May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.” (Psalm 149:6 NIV)

Today's scripture is taken from Psalm 149. God's people have two unique characteristics mentioned in this psalm. Firstly, they are filled with praise, and secondly, they have hold of a double-edged sword.

It was songs of praise that preceded the walls of Jericho physically tumbling down (Jos. 6). The authenticity of worship songs, coming from a loving heart, can break down the strongholds of evil in the person who longs for communion with God. Often we have seen that people who do not have peace with God, can not stand being in the presence of people singing praises to Him. Either we must bow down for the Lord of Lords, or one must leave.

The double-edged sword is an image that the Bible uses in several places in connection with God's living word. In the book of Judges in the Old Testament a double-edged sword is used to destroy God's enemies (Judges 3:16 ff). In the letter to the Hebrews, Paul writes about God's word as "sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb: 4:12), and in Revelations where John describes his views on the island of Patmos, from the context one understands that he saw Jesus, and from Jesus' mouth came "a sharp, double-edged sword ..." (Revelation 1:16).

The Bible, God's living word, penetrates so deeply that it separates soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and lays bare the heart's intent and thoughts - if we dare to expose ourselves to it.

Songs of praise and God's words are effective weapons in the spiritual struggle, both the internal struggles in every human being and the one ongoing between God's people and its opponents.

Prayer

Lord, I want to live this day singing praises to You and I want to let the message of the Bible, the double-edged sword, to carry out its ransacking work in me.