The Persevering Valiant Pilgrim: Psalm 60-Supplication through the Scriptures



The Persevering Valiant Pilgrim

Psalm 60

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

In Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian reaches the house of the Interpreter, and the Interpreter shows him many things in order that he may be instructed. Interpreter shows Christian a scene in which is a beautiful castle where he can see people clothed in gold walking there. Christian sees many men who desire to gain entrance to the castle and yet lack the courage, as there are armed men near the entrance who will assail any man who tries to enter the castle. But then Christian sees another man approach, a man Bunyan describes as determined to enter and resolute in appearance. This man, though opposed with deadly force when he tries to enter the castle, does not get discouraged, but rather he applies himself fiercely to the fight. And though he receives many wounds, he also gives many. With courage, this persevering valiant pilgrim is victorious and gains entrance to the castle.

In Psalm 60, David is crying out to God for help and deliverance. It seems as though God has rejected them. He has made them see hard things, and there is a tone of desperation. But even though David wonders if the Lord has rejected them, he still knows that God is their only resource and help in trouble. “It is still true that although God may seem to forsake us, that although he may leave us for a time to discouragement and darkness, yet we have no other resource but himself; it is still true that we may hope in his mercy, and plead for his return” (Albert Barnes). And David, as in many other psalms, ends this psalm with a confidant declaration, “With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes” (Psalm 60:12). 

In our own troubles, some can feel so overwhelming that we wonder if God has left us, rejected us, or is angry with us. We identify with David’s cries, “Have you not rejected us, O God?” (60:10). We see the foes of our soul ready to assail us, but it is at this point that we must continue on in faith. We must, as Bunyan’s valiant pilgrim, persevere valiantly in order that we may obtain the prize. 

Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time, we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” The phrase lose heart means “to turn out to be a coward, to lose one’s courage, to be faint-hearted, to faint or despond in view of trial and difficulty.” Paul, in this verse is encouraging us to not lose our courage, to not grow faint-hearted for we shall win the day, we shall reap if we do not grow weary. 

He encourages us again in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Because death and sin have been defeated by the resurrection of our Lord, we can be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. We do not need to grow weary or discouraged, because our toil, that labor for the Lord, is not worthless. It is not in vain. Though we may experience a time of discouragement, we can take fresh courage from the Lord and His Word. We can remind our souls, “as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1).

Do not lose heart, dear Christian! Throughout life’s journey, be determined and resolute. Go on fighting and opposing the enemy with deadly force with weapons not made with hands. Apply yourself fiercely to the battle that you are engaged in. You may receive many wounds along the way, but also give many to the Enemy of your soul. Be courageous. Be valiant. Gain entrance to that heavenly city for “With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes”(Psalm 60:12).  And you, too, like Bunyan’s persevering valiant pilgrim shall hear a “joyous chorus of welcome,
Come in, Come in,
Eternal Glory you shall win.”

Pray Psalm 60 for courage for the battle. 
Today’s Daily Dagger: “With God we shall do valiantly” (Psalm 60:12).

Restore Us

60:1-3 O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger. 
Let’s pray:
▫️We would trust the Lord’s discipline in our lives, knowing He disciplines those He loves, that we may be partakers of His holiness (Hebrews 12:6,10).
▫️If we are feeling discouraged, feeling that God has been angry with us, we would still come boldly to His throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and pardon for our sin, and grace for our time of need (Hebrews 4:12).
▫️The Lord would restore us. He would give us fresh courage and boldness to fight the fight of faith today in the troubles we face and for the hard things we see.

He Gives Salvation to His Beloved Ones

60:4-8 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us! God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 
Let’s pray:
▫️We would not fear lesser things, but we would fear the Lord.
▫️In our distress and weariness, we would flee to the Lord and be strengthened to continue on.
▫️We would rejoice and rest in the fact that we are the Lord’s beloved ones. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
▫️The Lord would give us deliverance, fortifying us with His power until He gives us salvation by His right hand.
▫️He would hear our cries for help, for strength, for courage, and for perseverance, and He would answer!

We Shall Do Valiantly

60:9-12 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Let’s pray: 
▫️The Lord would lead us in His wisdom if there is help we need, solution to a dilemma, knowledge needed, or wisdom required for our current battle.
▫️The Lord would go forth with us in the battle, and He would fight for us and gain the victory for us.
▫️The Lord would grant us help against the foe.
▫️With God, we would do valiantly, and He would tread down our foes.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 60 quoted from the ESV.
Photo credit to Ricardo Frantz.

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