Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? – Psalm 60:9

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 17, 2019): Psalm 60

Raqmu. The city, hidden in the rocks, has likely been occupied since 9,000 B.C.E. In ancient times, it was a formidable fortress. Part of its strength was that it was an impossible place even to find. The only way of accessing the city was through a 1.2-kilometer-long gorge which is called the Siq. The narrow passageway was easily defended, nullifying any advantage that a large army might have over the defenders. Raqmu lies in the rocky land south of the Dead Sea, in the traditional land Edom. It is likely that David knew of the city as Sela. For us, it carries another name – Petra.

It is likely that it is Petra that David is referring to here. The city existed in the southernmost part of Edom. While the height of culture in Petra was still a thousand years in the future, even in David’s time the city would have been both intriguing and important. Much like Masada in Israel, it was an impenetrable place of refuge during times of trouble. And when there was trouble in Edom, it was Petra that the people sought out.

Did David have desires to defeat Petra? Maybe, but it is possible that his wording here is largely symbolic. In David’s day, the only way anyone could hope to defeat Petra in Edom was if God was willing to fight on the side of those who opposed the city. But the point that David is making here is that every battle should be considered a battle against Petra. Every city should be considered to be the fortified city. No victory was possible anywhere unless it was God who brought the victory.

We all come into contact with our Petras; those places where we know that success is impossible unless God stands with us and brings us the victory. Depending on God in those times might be challenging, but it is the only way that we can succeed. What is even harder is recognizing our need when we come up against challenges that are not impossible; challenges that we think we can meet in our own strength. It is at this moment that we need to try to see the world through the eyes of David. Every challenge is our Petra. And without God, even the easiest challenge is out of our reach.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 15 & 16