Samuel 22:33 
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” (NIV)

“The one true God is my mighty refuge; he removes the obstacles in my way.” (NET)

Is not this the God who armed me well, then aimed me in the right direction? (MSG)

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I want to live a well-armed and well-aimed life.

King David, elite warrior that he was, uses terms familiar and fortifying for men like himself. 

A calligrapher, on the other hand, might talk about precision pens and parchment paper. 

What does a well-armed, well-aimed life look like to you? 

For King David, Psalm 23 was probably the height of his ability to describe and declare his relationship with God. Those words from nearly three thousand years ago still speak to human hearts today. Those words comfort and encourage. They provide hope and strength. They remind us that we are never alone, and that God is always working in our best interest. 

The different translations above highlight the same thing with varying descriptions. The NIV says God keeps us strong and secure. The New English Translation says God provides a mighty refuge and removes obstacles. The Message asks one of my favorite rhetorical questions of all time. The author gives us this lovely couplet, telling us we are armed and aimed well.

Again, I want to live a well-armed and well-aimed life. 

How can I do that? I can check in with God every morning. I can lay my calendar before him. I can consider all I have to do in the day, and seek his guidance every step of the way. I can pray what these verses say. For example:

* Empower me to move at the impulse of your love. Secure me in the sure strength of your mighty hand. 
* Bless me with rest and recovery. Clear the path you set before me. 
* Arm me well and aim me in the right direction. 

How will you turn this verse into prayer? 

How will you deploy this prayer day by day? 

How can you follow this pattern for other verses and other days? 

Praying God’s word back to Him attunes us to His heart and aligns us with his mind. That’s good praying.

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I will ask God for a well-armed and well-aimed day. 

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Our Father, thank you for your words of truth and life. Attune my heart and align my mind with your will and your ways. Bless me with a well-armed and well-aimed day. Amen.