2567) It’s interesting to read people’s views of who God is and what he does or doesn’t do.

Some think of God as a holy Santa Claus, who exists to give his children things. Others think God is the holy judge, watching the earth and looking to catch people who are in violation.

These are only two examples of the many ideas people have about God. For me, I find the best way to get to know someone is to study and listen to the words they say.

When I read Psalm 144:1, I have a description of a part of who God is. The verse reads, blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. (ESV)

What I think is interesting about this verse is what the Psalmist points out as a characteristic of God.

Notice the verse does not call God a rock because of the wars and battles he has won for us, though I think God does this. Instead, it points out that God trains for war and battle. In other words, God expects us to fight the war and battle; he is supplying the training for us to do this.

God does not want his children to be passive, to sit back and expect God to do all the fighting. Sometimes God jumps in to help, but many times he expects us to do this because he’s providing all the training to do so. Being passive in this way is not an act of faith.