Lord Teach Us to Fight

Summary

 

Today’s message is based on Psalm 18:34, where David says, “He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken in my arms.” I’m calling this message, “Lord, Teach Us to Fight”.

First, I reviewed Psalm 18, noting David’s determination to love the Lord, the reasons for that love, his distress, and God’s deliverance. I also discussed David’s defense, emphasizing that it was God who enabled him to overcome obstacles.

I then focused on verse 34, highlighting that God taught David how to make war. This leads to several key points:

• War and fighting are not inherently evil. There is such a thing as a just, biblical, or godly war.
• Self-defense is a right. This extends to individuals, families, churches, and nations.
• Sometimes, war is the answer.
• Not all offensive wars are unbiblical. God himself has initiated offensive wars in the Bible.
• God is a warrior. The Bible refers to God as a “man of war”. He fights against His enemies.
• The calling of a warrior is holy if it aligns with God’s law.

Another important point is that it is good to teach martial arts, especially to our children. God taught David to fight, and we should emulate our Heavenly Father. This includes the proper use of force. If we do not teach our children, they will learn the improper use of force from other sources. I explained that the physical skills of martial arts are not inherently evil, but the religions that may be associated with them can be. Calvin rightly points out that skill in training for war, the use of armor, marshalling armies, forming sieges and all other military tactics are all from God. I also noted that God allowed some enemies to remain in the land of Israel so that future generations could learn war.

God sanctifies war by using it and by empowering people. He used war to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. The Bible even mentions a “book of the wars of the Lord,” showing that God has engaged in numerous wars. God empowers people in war as illustrated in the lives of Joshua and Caleb. Additionally, the Spirit of the Lord came upon people, such as Caleb’s nephew, which empowered them to fight. The Bible gives examples of men of faith, listed in Hebrews 11, who fought in wars.

War is a reality of life in our fallen world. We should prepare and be able to defend ourselves. I noted that if we are aware of the potential for war, it is foolish to ignore it and hope that it never happens. God calls his people weapons of war.

I discussed how some Christians fall into the error of either denying the need to learn how to fight or trusting only in the means, but not in God. We must use the means God has given us while trusting in His power to make them effective. The Bible shows that God fights for his people. While we may prepare for battle, safety comes from the Lord.

Finally, I stated that there will be no permanent peace until the Prince of Peace returns. Until then we must expect wars. While God may give temporary peace, we must be prepared to defend ourselves and our families. One of our greatest weaknesses is that we have lost our martial spirit. It’s important to note that the principles of warfare apply both to physical and spiritual warfare. If we are unwilling to fight physically, we may be unwilling to fight spiritually as well. Thus, we should pray to be taught to fight physically and spiritually.

 

 

FAQ

Q: What is the main idea of this message? A: The main idea is based on Psalm 18:34, where David says, “He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken in my arms.” I’m calling this message, “Lord, Teach Us to Fight,” and it’s about how God teaches us to fight, both physically and spiritually.

Q: Is war inherently evil? A: No, war and fighting are not inherently evil. There is such a thing as a just, biblical, or godly war. God himself taught David how to make war.

Q: Do we have a right to defend ourselves? A: Yes, absolutely. Self-defense is a right that extends to individuals, families, churches, and nations.

Q: Is war always wrong? A: No, sometimes war is the answer. Also, not all offensive wars are unbiblical. God himself has initiated offensive wars in the Bible.

Q: Is God a peaceful God? A: While God is a God of peace, He is also a warrior. The Bible refers to God as a “man of war”. He fights against His enemies.

Q: Is it a holy calling to be a warrior? A: Yes, the calling of a warrior is holy if it aligns with God’s law. God does not raise up warriors against his law, but he raises up warriors who fight according to his word.

Q: Is it good to teach martial arts to others? A: Yes, it is just, right, and good to teach martial arts, especially to our children. God taught David to fight, and we should emulate our Heavenly Father. This includes the proper use of force. The physical skills of martial arts are not inherently evil.

Q: What about the religions associated with martial arts? A: The pagan and heathen religions associated with some martial arts may be wrong, but the ability to fight is not wrong.

Q: Why did God allow some enemies to remain in the land of Israel? A: God allowed some enemies to remain in the land of Israel so that future generations could learn war.

Q: How does God sanctify war? A: God sanctifies war by using it and by empowering people. He used war to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. The Bible even mentions a “book of the wars of the Lord,” showing that God has engaged in numerous wars.

Q: Does God empower people in war? A: Yes, God empowers people in war. This is illustrated in the lives of Joshua and Caleb, and through the Spirit of the Lord coming upon people. The Bible gives examples of men of faith, listed in Hebrews 11, who fought in wars.

Q: Is war a fact of life? A: Yes, war is a reality of life in our fallen world. We should prepare and be able to defend ourselves.

Q: What does the Bible say about God’s people and war? A: God calls his people weapons of war.

Q: What are common errors that Christians make regarding war? A: Some Christians deny the need to learn how to fight, while others trust only in the means of fighting, but not in God. We must use the means God has given us while trusting in His power to make them effective.

Q: Does the Bible say that God fights for his people? A: Yes, the Bible shows that God fights for his people. While we may prepare for battle, safety comes from the Lord.

Q: Will there ever be permanent peace? A: No, there will be no permanent peace until the Prince of Peace returns. Until then we must expect wars. While God may give temporary peace, we must be prepared to defend ourselves and our families.

Q: What is the martial spirit? A: The martial spirit is the willingness to stand up for what is right and to fight against evil. One of our greatest weaknesses is that we have lost our martial spirit.

Q: How does warfare apply to our spiritual lives? A: The principles of warfare apply both to physical and spiritual warfare. If we are unwilling to fight physically, we may be unwilling to fight spiritually as well. Thus, we should pray to be taught to fight both physically and spiritually.

 

 

Bible Verses Quoted

• Psalm 18:29: “For by thee have I run through a troop, and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” I used this to show how God enabled David to overcome obstacles.
• Psalm 18:30: “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
• Psalm 18:31: “For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?”
• Psalm 18:32: “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” I pointed out that God is the one who gives us strength and prepares us for battle.
• Psalm 18:33: “He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.” I explained that this means God makes it so we do not slip, even in dangerous situations.
• Psalm 18:34: “He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken in mine arms.” This is the key verse for today’s message and the basis for the title “Lord, teach us to fight”. I emphasized that God is the one who teaches us how to fight.
• 1 Samuel 18:7: “And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” I used this to illustrate David’s prowess as a warrior.
• Job 36:22: “Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?” This emphasizes that God is the ultimate teacher, and we will never forget what God teaches us.
• James 1:13: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” I stated that God does not tempt us to do evil, and thus, war is not inherently evil.
• Deuteronomy 22:23-27: This passage describes the laws regarding attacks on women. I explained that if a woman is attacked in the city and doesn’t cry out, it implies consent, and both she and the attacker are punished. However, if she cries out in the city, anyone who hears has an obligation to save her. Also if she is attacked in the field and cries out but no one can hear her, she is not held responsible, only her attacker.
• Numbers 31:1-2: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the Lord of Midian.” I used this to demonstrate that God commands offensive wars.
• Deuteronomy 25:17-19: “Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.” I used this as another example of God commanding an offensive war.
• Genesis 15:13-16: “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” I used this to further illustrate God’s command of offensive war. I explained that God waited 400 years before telling His people to go in and slay the Amorites.
• Exodus 15:3: “The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.” This is used to show that God himself is a warrior.
• Exodus 17:16: “For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” This further supports the idea that God is a warrior.
• Isaiah 42:13: “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.” This reinforces the concept of God as a warrior who fights against His enemies.
• Revelation 6:2: “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” I stated that this verse refers to Christ.
• Revelation 19:11: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” This identifies the rider of the white horse as Christ, who makes war.
• Psalm 144:1: “Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight.” I used this to show that God teaches us to use every part of our bodies in fighting.
• 1 Timothy 4:8: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” I mentioned this to show that bodily exercise has some value.
• Judges 3:1-2: “Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof.” I used this to show that God allowed some enemies to remain to teach future generations how to fight.
• Deuteronomy 4:34: “Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?” I quoted this to illustrate that God used war to deliver the Israelites from Egypt.
• 1 Chronicles 5:22: “For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God.” This emphasizes that when God is involved in a war, many will be slain.
• Numbers 21:14: “Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon” I used this to point out that there were enough wars of the Lord to fill a book.
• Joshua 1:9: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I used this as an example of how God empowers his people during times of war.
• Joshua 14:10-11: “And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.” I quoted this to show how God strengthened Caleb for war even in old age.
• Judges 3:10: “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.” I quoted this to demonstrate that when the Spirit of the Lord comes upon someone, it enables them to go out to war.
• Hebrews 11:32-34: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” I used this to show that men of faith were also warriors and that God helped them in war.
• Ecclesiastes 3:8: “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” I used this to show that war is a reality of life in our fallen world.
• Matthew 24:6: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” I noted that this verse indicates there will always be wars.
• Jeremiah 51:19-20: “The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name. Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;” I explained that God calls his people his weapons of war.
• Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” I used this to show that while we prepare for war, our safety ultimately comes from God.
• Deuteronomy 3:22: “Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.” This emphasizes that God will fight for his people.
• Deuteronomy 20:4: “For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” This reinforces the idea that God fights with his people.
• Psalm 44:1-8: I used this to emphasize that it is God, not our own strength or weapons, that delivers us.
• 2 Chronicles 17:10: “And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.” I pointed out that this is an example of temporary peace that God can provide.
• 1 Kings 4:24: “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.” I used this to illustrate the temporary peace that God gave to Solomon.
• Proverbs 16:7: “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” This shows how God can give temporary peace.
• Psalm 46:9: “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.” I used this to further illustrate that God gives temporary peace.
• Micah 4:3: “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” I stated that this verse points to a time when there will be permanent peace after the return of Christ.