Today's Scripture Reading (November 26, 2025): Psalm 45
G. K. Chesterton wrote that "The true soldier
fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what
is behind him" (G. K. Chesterton). I believe that there are times when
every man wants to be seen as a warrior, and that desire is never greater than
when we are around the ones that we love. And maybe there is no moment when a
man wants to be seen as a warrior more than on the day that he gets married.
The title of Psalm 45 tells us that the Psalm is
intended as a wedding song. More than just a wedding song, it is likely the
wedding song of a King, in this instance, likely King Solomon. Perhaps it is
worth remembering here that Solomon's understanding was that his father, David,
was the warrior. And because of the blood Dad had spilled, he didn't have the
opportunity to build the Temple that had been his dream. That had been delayed
until the reign of the builder, Solomon. Yet, in this moment, even Solomon
wants to be seen as the warrior and the mighty one.
So, the Psalmist tells Solomon, and the groom in
other wedding settings, to clothe himself in splendor and majesty, and to place
the sword on his side, because on this day, he was the warrior.
Psalm 45 is a wedding song, possibly written for
Solomon, but by extension, it is a psalm written for every bridegroom on his
wedding day. It is a Psalm that reminds men that they are supposed to be
warriors, not because of what they hate, but because of who they love.
Some experts also believe that this is a Messianic
Psalm, that it is Jesus who ultimately clothes himself in splendor and places
the sword on his side as he steps out as the warrior who battles the evil
forces of this world. Some even suggest that this verse is the basis for a
description of the heavenly warrior in Revelation 19.
I saw heaven standing open and there
before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and
True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing
fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on
him that no one knows but he himself. He is
dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and
dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming
out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the
nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the
winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
king of kings and lord of
lords (Revelation 19:11-16)
Until then, go and be a warrior willing to defend all
that you love.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
1 Kings 4
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