This is how I fight: He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.
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David's statement "He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms" is found in Psalm 18:34. This is a metaphorical way of how David expresses how God gave him the strength and skill to defeat his enemies. David was a warrior and king who fought many battles. Thus, this psalm gives praise to God for delivering him from his enemies and empowering him to overcome challenges and threats.
The phrase "He teaches my hands to war" means that God gave David the strategy, strength, courage, wisdom, and ability to face and overcome his enemies. We see in the stories of the battles of David how through strategic planning, leadership skills, physical strength, or even divine intervention in certain situations that God always equipped David with the necessary skills and attributes to succeed in his battles.
Here are a few examples:
1. Preparation and Organization: Before going into battle, David army would prepare and organize themselves. This involved gathering and training soldiers, arming them with weapons, and appointing commanders and leaders. For example, King David organized his army into divisions with specific responsibilities.
- David recruited and trained a strong and loyal army. He gathered mighty men who were known for their valor and skill in battle.
- These men became the core of David's army and received training, discipline, and leadership under his command.
- David used divisions based upon tribal affiliations and other logistical considerations.
- David had a close circle of trusted advisors. They would provide counsel, strategic advice.
- Notable advisors of David are Joab, Abishai, and Benaiah. David employed strategy and tactical prowess by assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing army then formulating a plan and adapting strategies as needed. An example of this is with the battle against the phillistines and how he defended himself against Absalom's rebellion.
- David equipped his army with weapons of warfare ensuring his soldiers were ready for battle. He had arsenals of swords, spears, and shields. From the story of David and Goliath, we see that he had experience in using a sling to engage his enemies.
Other strategies employed by other Armies to win wars in the bible are:
1. Intelligence and Reconnaissance: Scouts would be sent to gather intelligence and assess the strength, weaknesses, and strategies of opposing forces. Joshua, for instance, sent spies to gather information about Jericho before its siege.
2. Utilizing Terrain: Strategic use of natural features like hills, valleys, or rivers to their advantage for defensive purposes or to launch surprise attacks. For instance, Gideon used the element of surprise by positioning his troops strategically around the Midianite camp.
3. Divine Guidance and Intervention: Prophets and leaders sought counsel from God, and He would instruct them on battle strategies. For example, God instructed Joshua in the battle of Ai, and He led the Israelites through the desert using a pillar of cloud and fire.
4. Psychological Warfare: The utilization of psychological tactics to instill fear or weaken the enemy's morale. This could involve displaying strength, making loud noises such as the blowing of trumpets, or using psychological manipulation. The story of Gideon using torches and trumpets to defeat the Midianites in Judges 7 demonstrates this strategy.
5. Unity and Cohesion: The success on each army depended on unity and cooperation among its members. Being on the same page, obeying leaders, and coordinating actions were essential for victory. The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem showcases unity and cooperation among the Israelites.
This Is How I Fight My Battles Now
After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our weapons are no longer physical but spiritual. Ephesians 6:10-18: tells us to put on the FULL ARMOUR of God so that we can be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. This ARMOUR includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Our psychological warfare strategy now is by recognizing and discerning that our War with Satan is no longer physical but spiritual. And that every day, he walks around trying to slip us up. As such, we must stay connected to the Holy Spirit so that he will help us to recognize temptations, deceptions, and the attacks of Satan and for Him to give us the strength of God to keep fighting.
We must put on the WHOLE armor of God so that we are able EVERY thought into subjection that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and capture it to make it obey the thoughts of Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. 1 Peter 5:8-9. Finally, through faith, we submit ourselves to God, through faith, we stand firm in our faith and through faith, we resist Satan, so it is, he flees from us. James 4:7