• As the power of God is infinite, so [the godly] conclude that it shall be invincible against all the assaults, outrages, preparations, and forces of this whole world. And, indeed, unless we ascribe this honor to God, our courage shall always be failing us. Let us, therefore, learn, when in dangers, not to measure the assistance of God after the manner of man, but to despise whatever terrors may stand in our way, inasmuch as all the attempts which men make against God, are of little or no account. JC
• […] God will protect him, his protection during the past night is now a pledge to him in the early morning. All israel, that is to say ten thousands, myriads, were gone over to Absalom. […] I will not fear is not uttered in a tone of triumph, but is only a quiet, meek expression of believing confidence. K & D, Franz Delitzsch
• [David] was not dismayed and this was owing not to himself; but to the Lord's sustaining of him; see (Ps. 27:1-3) ; and such courage and greatness of soul did his antitype the Messiah express, and to a greater degree, when Judas, with his band of soldiers, and the multitude with clubs and staves, entered the garden to apprehend Him; and when the prince of this world was marching towards Him, and when He was engaged with all the powers of darkness, and when the sorrows of death compassed Him about, yet He failed not, nor was He discouraged: and something of this spirit appears in true believers, When they are in the exercise of faith, have the presence of God, and the discoveries of His love; they are then not afraid what man can do unto them; nor are they afraid of devils themselves, but wrestle against them; nor of any nor all their enemies, they having victory over them, given by God through Christ. JG
• When he considered the truth of God’s promise, and tried the same, his faith increased marvelously. 1599 GB
• Ten thousands opposed to one man becomes a mighty army! But millions against us, when God is on our side, are as nothing. Oh! for faith in the Lord, and in the power of His might. RH
• Observe that he does not attempt to underestimate the number or wisdom of his enemies. He reckons them at tens of thousands, and he views them as cunning huntsmen chasing him with cruel skill. Yet he trembles not, but looking his foeman in the face he is ready for the battle. […] they may surround me on every side, but in the name of God I will dash through them; or, if I remain in the midst of them, yet shall they not hurt me. CHS
• No man seemed less safe… and yet no man was more secure: “I will not be afraid… they cannot hurt me… whatever prudent methods I take for my own preservation, I will not disquiet myself, distrust my God, nor doubt of a good issue at last.” Note: a cheerful resignation to God is the way to obtain a cheerful satisfaction and confidence in God. MH
Personal Summary:
In vs. 4 we saw that David was a man of prayer. In vs. 5 we saw that David was a man of faith. In vs. 6 we see what being a man of prayer and faith produces… confidence in God. As BB Warfield said in our previous study: “[This is] one whose state of mind is free from faintheartedness (Isa. 7:9) and anxious haste (Isa. 28:16), and who stays himself upon the object of his contemplation with confidence and trust. The implication seems to be, not so much that of passive dependence as of a vigorous active commitment. He who, in the Hebrew sense, exercises faith, is secure, assured, confident (Deut. 28:66, Job 24:22, Ps. 27:13), and lays hold of the object of his confidence with firm trust.” This is David! This is what being a man of prayer and faith is intended to produce. We aren’t faint hearted because we stand not with our own confidence but with confidence in God. If not, then we are actually saying that we doubt that God will do what He says He will do.
William Cowper addresses this vs. by looking to Rom. 8 and says, “[…] stronger is He that is in us, then they who are against us; nothing is able to separate us from the love of God. In Christ Jesus our Lord, we shall be more than conquerers.” David got this, he understood it, he believed it and lived with an unwaivering confidence as a result of this. We too must live this way, it is not an option, it is a requirement. We are not called to partake in some passive Christianity. We are called in full confidence to a militant Christianity where we “put on the whole armor of God “ (Eph. 6:11) and do battle.
Here I am reminded of and will leave you with the words to the old hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” written by the Anglican Sabine Baring-Gould. The words express what David must have felt as if he had written them himself. The words express what we are to feel and live out in our lives in the service of our holy God. Let us engage in the fight for the time is short. We will trust in God to deliver us from temptations, battles, and every sin that has assaulted us in this life; we are assured that we will reign with our Lord forever more! (Rev. 22:5)
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believed, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
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