“He trains my hands for war
until my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
-2 Samuel 22:35
David is best remembered as a great warrior.
When he reminisced on the days of his youth…
No doubt…
It was his awesome exploits on the battlefield that came to mind.
Verse 35 references one of those times.
David is giving credit to the Lord for showing him how to fight a Holy War.
And how he was given supernatural strength to handle weapons as no other man could.
We’re given an interesting metaphor of David bending a bow made out of steel as opposed to wood.
A bow crafted out of metal packs so much more power than a wooden one.
Thus, when unleashed, the impact of its arrows is far deadlier.
However, few warriors in David’s day possessed the skill to handle such an intimidating weapon.
This reminds me of another formidable weapon that believers have access to…
I’m talking about prayer.
Yes, prayer is one of the strongest weapons in the world.
Yet few believers know how to wield it properly.
Why is prayer so powerful?
It is a direct connection to the source of power provided by the Almighty.
The Gentiles have the weak wooden bows they use to pray to their pagan gods.
An Israelite, however, possesses a formidable steel bow that in his hands is directed by the Lord of Hosts.
That’s why there is no match for a true prayer warrior….
One who is trained up and really knows how to pray.
Compare this to the average believer, whose faith is little more than Sunday socializing with kids and coffee.
A person who doesn’t really know God because he ignores Scripture (I mean ONLY the “Old” Testament, homies), is like a wooden bow.
He is weak and ineffective.
His arrows miss most of the time…
And when they hit…
They barely make a mark.
Ya feel me?
Let those who have ears to hear, listen.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand
against the schemes of the devil.
…praying at all times in the Spirit,
with all prayer and supplication.”
– Ephesians 6:11, 18
“Be alert and always
keep on praying for
all the Lord’s people.”
– Ephesians 6:18
“Watch and pray that you
may not enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak.”
– Matthew 26:41
“Praying at all times in the Spirit,
with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert
with all perseverance,
making supplication
for all the saints.”
– Ephesians 6:18
“The effective, fervent prayer
of a righteous man avails much.”
– James 5:16
“And whatever you ask in my name,
that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son.”
– John 14:13
“Whatever you ask in prayer,
believing, you will receive.”
– Matthew 21:22
“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God.”
– Philippians 4:6
“Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.”
– Romans 12:12
“Likewise the Spirit helps
us in our weakness.
For we do not know what to pray
for as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes
for us with groanings
too deep for words.”
– Romans 8:26
“Pray without ceasing.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Confess your sins to one another
and pray for one another,
that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person
has great power as it is working.”
– James 5:16
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