You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, (Psalm 30:11 ESV)

David was such a diverse leader. He was as much a man of war as a man of worship. As a man of worship David was a friend of God; but as a man of war David had many enemies.

Having written many of the Psalms, David typically expresses himself as either a man of worship or a man of war. It’s either: “I will bless The Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth,” or “My enemies surround me on every side; save me, O God, and take vengeance on those who hate me.”

As believers we can relate to both perspectives.

We are people of worship – our souls thirst for God, we hunger for righteousness, we love being in the presence of God and expressing our praise to the One who delivered us!

But we are also people of war.

Ours is not (necessarily) a physical battle, although many believers do find themselves on literal battlefields. Ours is a spiritual battle, and we wake to it every single day.

Our enemy is relentless, despite being defeated. We must daily walk in victory, claiming and contending for the joy of The Lord, the peace of God, and the expansion of His kingdom.

At times we can even become “battle-weary.” But those are the moments when God’s grace overwhelms us and reminds us that He has turned our mourning into dancing, and our sorrow into joy!

Today, we are reminded that the battle is The Lord’s! That truth alone is enough to turn a man of war into a man of worship!

Father,
Would You ignite our souls to worship you with passion today? Come and inhabit our praise in every step we take.

And would You bring to us peace and joy despite the war we are fighting? Turn our mourning into dancing. Bring us victory, extend your kingdom, deliver us from evil!

Today we choose to be people of war.
Today we choose to be people of worship.

Amen.