[:en]Psalm 18 was sang by David when the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. It contained 23 different words in Hebrew language for deliverance. David was extolling the Lord when he called Him: My Lord, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield and my horn of salvation.
What are the dangers that David faced?
- The cords of death entangled him
- The torrents of destruction overwhelmed him
- The cords of the grave coiled around him
- The snares of death confronted him
But in his distress, he cried to the Lord for help. His cry reached God’s ear, and the Lord heard his voice.
David described how God, the creator and deliverer used everything in nature to help him.
- The earth shook down to its very foundation
- Smoke rose and consuming fire came, burning coals blazed out of it
- The heavens came down
- The wings of the wind began to blow
- Darkness covered the rain cloud of sky
- Hailstone came down
- Great bolts of lightning routed them
- The valleys of the sea exposed
- The foundations of the earth laid bare
David lived in confined places as he fled from Saul. He had been hiding in caves. The Lord brought him out into a large and broad place. The Lord kept his lap by turning his darkness into light.
Whatever place your are today, He will deliver you. He uses the difficult experience of life to take great steps of faith for His glory.
David’s hands were clean and his heart was pure. He was a man of integrity. That is why God protected and rewarded him. When your hearts are clean, no matter how difficult your life may be, He will see you through the trials and enable you to bring glory to His name.
What kind of people does God want us to be? – Faithful, blameless, pure, humble.
How did God protect David? (vs. 32-43)
- He armed him with strength for battle
- He made his way perfect
- He made his feet like the feet of a deer
- He enabled him to stand on the heights
- He trained his hand for battle
- He gave him his shield of victory
- His right hand sustained him
- He stooped down to make him great
- He broadened the path beneath him
- He armed him with strength for battle
- He made his adversaries bow at his feet
- He made his enemies turn their back in flight
- He delivered him from the attacks of the people
- He made him head of nations with people subject to him
When David looked back, he saw the gentle hand of God that enabled him to go higher and farther.
Have you experienced past difficulties that you can thank God for His gentleness in dealing with you?
God gave David great vitcories. He avenged David by saving him from his enemies and subduing nations under him. He exalted him above his foes and rescued him from violent men. Therefore, David praised God saying: “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name. for He had showed unfailing kindness to me and my descendants forever” (vsl. 46, 49-50)
Do you remember to thank God and praise His name when God had helped you solve the problems of your life?[:]