Monday, October 28, 2024
My Rock – Psalm 18:1-3 Submitted by Kay Crumley
Where do you put your faith or hope when times are hard? What is the one place you know you can turn for help? Is it a physical place or a person? Most of us have a short list of those people who we would seek out when we are in crisis. The truth is that any human, no matter how dependable, powerful, or compassionate they may be, is not the ultimate solution to our problems. We are all fallible, fragile, and will crumble because we are not God.
David wrote a song to God after he had been rescued from his enemies and the power of Saul. Saul had pursued David because he knew David would be the next King of Israel. He plotted to kill him many times. Yet, David respected Saul’s position as God’s anointed King. That forced him to live in exile, separated from all family support and protection. During that time, David learned that God was the only hope and source of protection he had. His faith was tested and strengthen as he was finally delivered from his enemies.
David is overcome with love and devotion to God who was faithful to him by fulfilling His promise that David would be the King of Israel. The word David used for love, in verse one, is an uncommon term. It expresses deep compassionate love, from the very heart. He enumerates nine titles(underlined) for God that demonstrate his love.
1 I love you, Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock,
my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock where I seek refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I was saved from my enemies.
He is my strength – the One who empowered him to defeat his enemies. His rock – a place of shelter, safety, and secure standing for battle. His fortress – a place of strength and safety. His deliverer – the One who made a way of escape for him. His God – not only the object of his adoration but the One who gives him strength in his soul. His rock and strength – his fountain, source or origin for all he needs. His shield – the One who defends both his heart and head. His horn – strength and defense. His stronghold – his high tower of refuge where he could see an enemy from a long distance and be protected. David was a mighty warrior and thought in terms of the battlefield. He is declaring that God was all he needed for each of his battles. He is his source, protection, security, and strength. God is all those things for us as we face the challenges life throws our way. Paul summarized it in his letter to the Ephesians, 6:10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. His power is greater than any other, more that we can even imagine. That is where we need to place our trust in every battle we face.
How do we access this protection and power? Well, as believers we only have to ask. Get pride behind us and turn to Him to be our source. David called on the Lord. It was just that simple and straightforward. He is ready to hear our plea, all we have to do is admit we need Him to take control of our battle. God is worthy of our praise and our faith. It isn’t easy for anyone to relinquish our control to God. We want to believe we can take care, control our circumstances. Yet, that is not the case in scripture or in our own lives. Psalm 46:10 Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth. We must submit to Him, His power and protection to find rest and peace. What titles does He hold in your life? Perhaps some of these are applicable for you.
