God is honored in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home. There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. Interlude You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. Our boldest enemies have been plundered. They lie before us in the sleep of death. No warrior could lift a hand against us. At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob, their horses and chariots lay still. No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes? From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you. You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon. Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. For he breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him.
Psalms 76:1-12 NLT
Making promises to God is more than just “believing” in Him; this is a relationship based on promises—both His and ours. The psalm ends with a clear call to make vows to the Lord and keep them. This psalm is about the victory of God in battle. So often we pray for the Lord to be on our side, but the more important question is if we are on His side. We are called to follow Him, make promises, and keep them. When we fail we can be forgiven. These verses confidently proclaim that our Lord will be victorious over all.
Make no mistake: there is a spiritual battle going on. Humans are not the enemy; they are why the battle is being fought. Our good and loving God is fighting for our hearts, and we make choices every day to get us closer to the Father or closer to darkness. We often judge our eternal Lord based on our temporary feelings, which can change with circumstances, weather, or even music. It is not wrong to feel far from God—it is in the Bible after all! But we have a choice, even when Jesus seems far away, to remain faithful to the One who will never forsake us (Matt 28:20). This is the battle, and our choices matter.
How can God’s character and victory give you confidence today? What battles are going on in your life right now, and how can you chose the way of Jesus?
