With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.

Psalm 60:12

“To be cast off by God is the worst calamity that can befall a man or a people; but the worst form of it is when the person is not aware of it and is indifferent to it. When the divine desertion causes mourning and repentance, it will be but partial and temporary.” - Charles Spurgeon

We need to live so close to God that we gasp for air like one drowning when we don’t sense His nearness.

David, upon experiencing victory and restoration for God’s beloved Israel, paused to recount how far they had come by: 

• Remembering a past defeat.
• Requesting continued deliverance.
• Reminding God of His promise.
• Recognizing God’s hand of protection

David and Israel had come up for air… experiencing the powerful hand of God through victory. The King inscribed Psalm 60 so all generations would know the importance of obeying God, relying on Him, and trusting His perfect plan, even when that includes defeat for the sake of discipline.

I wonder why David measured them.

David also conquered the land of Moab. He made the people lie down on the ground in a row, and he measured them off in groups with a length of rope. He measured off two groups to be executed for every one group to be spared. The Moabites who were spared became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money.
2 Samuel 8:2

I need to live so close to God that I gasp for air like one drowning when we don’t sense His nearness.