“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1 NIV)
God trains you for battle with the mundane. The daily routines you do every day that keep you going become your weapons in times of duress. God trained David by making him a shepherd (1 Samuel 17 NIV). For years, David tended sheep. He killed lions and bears to protect his herd. When God needed someone to stand up to Goliath, David was battle ready. God used the daily activities of a shepherd to train David as a warrior. God trains us the same way.
God trains you for the battle with the mundane.
Peeling potatoes can train you for battle. Washing laundry, cleaning house, cooking meals are all ways God trains us. As we encounter the battles of life, the hard days that never seem to end, we find comfort in the mundane.
COVID is a good example. People fought the battle of COVID by cleaning closets. They painted rooms, started workout routines and planted gardens. The mundane tasks fought the fear, the worry, the anxiety of an unseen virus. People prayed as they completed their tasks. Daily battles won renewed people’s faith. The mundane tasks of living gave people purpose when they needed purpose.
Each day when we spend time with God, He trains us. I know, I’m never the same person after spending time in God’s word, praying and meditating on what He has for me. I’m amazed at how He grows me, ever so gently. He prods me in different directions, guiding me where He wants me to go. Most of the time, I have no idea what He is doing. But I trust His plan. I’ve learned understanding isn’t a requirement of faith. Faith is accepting you’re not going to understand everything.
One of our favorite movies is The Legend of Bagger Vance. Set in 1931, the Great Depression was in full swing. The movie was narrated from the vantage point of the young caddy who loved the game of golf. The boy’s father became a street sweeper when he lost his job. He made enough to provide for his family, but his young son was ashamed of him. One of my favorite scenes is when Junuh, the hero of the story, addresses this with his young caddy. He looks the young boy in the eyes and says:
“Your daddy stared adversity in the eye, Hardy. And he beat it back with a broom.”
Each day God trains us. He equips us with what we already have. When adversity strikes, we beat it back with the mundane. God has already trained you for whatever battle you’re facing. He uses the mundane to win the battle. Whatever we need, He’s already given us. Trust His training, win the battle!
Question of the Day:
How has the mundane helped you win the battle?
Further Reading: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31 NIV, Acts 17 NIV, Psalm 144 NIV, Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV
