Psalm 59:10: My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

This morning as I meditate upon this verse, something particular stands out to me: I share in the victory of Christ.

Throughout ancient times the spoils have belonged to the victor.  Should a king ride off into battle, anything conquered was his along with those who went into battle with him.  There were also times when those who were charged with guarding the supplies in the rear were given part of the spoils of war as well (1 Samuel 30:24).

One particular episode is given in Genesis 14:10-11, 21 where the King of Sodom inappropriately asks for some of the spoils of war after having fled battle and suffering a humiliating defeat.  Nonetheless, in the wisdom, integrity, and mercy of Abram everything is returned to the King of Sodom how had no rights to the spoils, because they were forfeited in battle.

The thing that stands out as I meditate on Psalm 59:10 is that I was among those most unworthy.  It wasn’t that I was guarding the gear in the rear.  It wasn’t that I was unable to go to war.  It wasn’t that I was afraid.  It was that I was actually an enemy on the other side, and yet God in his steadfast love wanted to meet with me.  He wanted me as one of his own and he won the battle so that I could be his.

Romans 5:10: For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

The crazy thing is that he didn’t stop there.  God also lets me share in the victory.  A day is coming when I will be able to rule and reign in his kingdom under his authority (Daniel 7:18; Romans 5:7; 1 Corinthians 6:3; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:9-10; 22:5), and cry out with all the other saints in triumph over my mighty enemy of sin and death:

1 Corinthians 15:54–57: 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What a glorious thought echoing through the chambers of history out of the Psalmist's pen: “My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalm 59:10).