Reading: Psalms 18-22
For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great (Ps. 18:29-35).
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears (Ps. 18:6). When David found himself in a bad situation, he didn’t panic. Instead, he called on God for protection and support. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet (18:9). God answered him, as David had known he would, and David felt the Lord as a physical presence around him. He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters (18:16). David had initially felt himself being sucked down under the weight of his troubles, but once he turned them over to God, he felt himself being lifted up and placed once again on solid ground. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me (18:17). David was under no illusion that he could have won this battle on his own. He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me (18:19). He rejoiced in being brought to safety by God and took comfort from the truth that God loved him enough to save him.
In the eyes of the world, David was an extraordinary man who achieved great things. From the moment he burst onto the scene, an unknown shepherd boy standing against the mighty giant Goliath, he was lauded for his heroism, strength, and bravery. As his reputation grew, so too did the praise of the world. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands (I Sam. 18:7). But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them (18:16).
It would have been easy for David to buy into the world’s image of him. He could have internalized the many gifts God had given him and rationalized that he (David) was cleverly using them for God’s glory, thereby keeping himself the star of the show. But he didn’t. Instead, David remained humble. He took nothing for granted and received every gift from God with gratitude and awe. It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He praised God for everything and blamed Him for nothing, confident that God’s love was enough to sustain him forevermore.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (James 1:17-18).
Thought for Today: It is easier to be humble in your achievements when you take the time to reflect on God’s role in them.
Christ Revealed: As the One to whom the Psalms refer when they speak of the nails that pierced His hands and feet on the cross and the parting of His clothing (Ps. 22:16,18). When they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take (Mark 15:24; also Matt. 27:35; Luke 23:34; John 19:18).
Word Studies: 18:2 horn of my salvation = my strong deliverer; 18:26 froward (first use) = crooked; froward (second use) = opposed; 18:45 close places = fortresses or strongholds; 22:5 confounded = put to shame.
Pray for Staff: Tifany Parisi • Country: Seychelles (91,650) a group of islands in the Indian Ocean • Major Languages: Seychellois Creole, English, French • Religious Freedom • 76.2% Roman Catholic; 10.6% Protestant; 2.4% Other Christian; 2.4% Hindu; 1.6% Muslim; 1.1.% Non-Christian; 4.8% Unspecfied; 0.9% None • Prayer Suggestion: Let your prayers express gratitude to God for His wonderful works (Ps. 9:1).
Optional Reading:Colossians 1