Psalm 44:3 CSB
For they did not take the land by their sword— their arm did not bring them victory— but by your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable toward them.
A swordsman never allows anyone to carry his sword, it’s always strapped to their side. Believers are privileged to have the sword of the Spirit as part of their godly amour according to Ephesians 6:17 to do battle in the name of Jesus.
Scripture declares that out of God’s mouth comes a sword, another symbol for the Bible from Revelation 19:15. Psalm 149:6 describes the praise of God as a double-edged sword. Two-edged swords were made of bronze or iron and were filed on each side so that the blade could more readily and deeply penetrate enemy armour. In the New Testament of Hebrew 4:12, the word of God is said to be sharper than any two-edged sword because of the way it exposes our deepest thoughts and the intentions of our hearts.
In addition to symbolizing God’s Word, the sword appears to represent punishment from God.
This is how we fight our battles! This line of a song says everything there is to say about spiritual equipment. We don’t fight with physical, man-made weapons but with God’s word which is the Sword of the Spirit.
When we declare God’s word in battle, God sends out His light and truth by way of His word to fight for us.
Just as the Israelites of old didn’t possess their possessions by their efforts or through a sword fight, we too must not rely on our effort and ability to win the battles of life and godliness.
God didn’t only give us a weapon with sharp blades, but the Lord yield the sword in battle for us. There will always be a conflict between good and evil, between light and darkness and the only weapon that can defeat the enemy is God’s sword.
The children of Israel fought so many battles against both their spiritual enemy, Satan and their physical foes, the Egyptians, Pharaoh mostly but our text helps us understand that neither their hand nor their sword saved them. They triumphed over their enemies, won the battles, and gained victory because they had the Lord’s sword fighting for them.
As the Lord’s sword protects and defends us, so too can it be against us, as we first saw in Genesis 3:24, the flashing sword that the Lord put in Eden to stop man from entering again to gain immortality.
Isaiah 66:16 says God will carry out judgment on all flesh with His sword, especially His enemies.
You may have been trying in your strength, with your weapons and ability to fight battles that you’re least prepared or qualified for, you may even be wondering how you’ll ever gain victory. I want to assure you that victory is certain in God because the Lord’s sword is already at work on your behalf. Even now, according to Isaiah 34:5, the Lord’s sword is descending on Edom, implying on all nations for judgement because the day of vengeance draws near. Be assured that the Egyptians you’re dealing with now, which seem so powerful, and overwhelming are about to come under the vengeance and judgment of the Lord’s sword.
Your hands cannot deliver you!
The commander of the army of the Lord is standing by you with His sword drawn and ready to defend you as He was with Joshua in 5:13. The Lord’s sword is mighty to save.
Shalom