The church of God is a mighty church.

Ever heard that sentiment expressed in some manner? What about processing the promise that “we are more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37)? Makes it sound like the bride of Christ is not to be messed with, doesn’t it? After all, Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Sounds like a pretty powerful people to me.

But something that popped in reading Psalm 74 has me re-thinking that proposition.

In Scripture, whether Old Testament or New Testament, the Spirit moves men to refer to the redeemed of God in various ways. They’re sheep. They’re a bride. They’re a congregation. They’re a holy temple. They’re sojourners. They’re saints. You get the idea . . . A lot of ways the people of God are described, each metaphor conveying some reality of those God has taken to be as His inheritance (another name for the people of God).

And this morning, I encountered one that I don’t think I’ve really had ears to hear before. Certainly not a word picture I’ve ever chewed on before.

Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to the wild beasts;
       do not forget the life of Your poor forever.

(Psalm 74:19 ESV)

Psalm 74 is another one of those “Where are You, God?” songs. A haunting melody overflowing with “We’re taking it in the teeth, LORD! How long?” lyrics. And so, the pleas to God: remember (v.1); direct Your steps (v. 3); have regard for Your promises (v. 20); arise and defend Your cause (v. 22). And do not deliver the soul of Your dove to the wild beasts.

Your dove . . . hmm, how’s that for a way to refer to the mighty people of God? And lest, we miss it’s intent, how about the parallel term following it to emphasize the point, Your poor?

Kind of comes across more meek than mighty. As more weak than wonderful. As more insipid than inspirational. More a sense of being . . . well, as the songwriter sings, poor than powerful.

Yeah. But “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3). Right?

We’re a dove. A timid, cooing bird amidst wild beasts. A poor and fragile people. Feeble against the flesh. Drooping against the devil. Weak against the world. So how is it the gates of hell shall not prevail against us? How is that we are, in reality, more than conquerors?

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(Romans 8:37 ESV)

Through Him who loved us . . . that’s how the gates of hell shall not prevail.

Not our might. Not our power. Not our advanced degrees of sanctification. Not our self-validating checklists used to prove our justification.

Rather, His dove will prevail against those beasts because their God has promised never to leave her nor forsake her (Deut. 31:8, Heb. 13:5). His power made perfect through her weakness as His grace is shown all-sufficient for her every sorrow, suffering, and sad situation — the power of Christ resting upon her (2Cor. 12:9).

For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself.

(1Samuel 12:22 ESV)

His dove. His frail, and frequently failing people. Yet, a people He is pleased to embrace as His own. Maybe not as mighty as we’d like to think of ourselves, but more loved than we can imagine.

By His grace. For His glory.