Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “I love YOU, LORD; YOU are my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my GOD is my rock, in whom I find protection. HE is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. 3 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for HE saves me from my enemies.” ~Psalm 18:1-3
This psalm may have been written toward the end of David’s life when there was peace. He was praising GOD for HIS glorious works and blessings through the years. GOD’s protection of HIS people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized GOD’s care with five military symbols. GOD is like: 1) a rock that cannot be moved by any who would harm us, 2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy cannot follow, 3) A shield that comes between us and harm, 4) strength of salvation, a symbol of might and power, and 5) a stronghold high above our enemies. When we need protection, we can look to GOD.
“HE reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. – Psalm 18:16 – Do your troubles ever seem like “deep waters,” threatening to drown you? David, helpless and weak, knew that GOD alone had rescued him from his enemies when he was defenseless. When you wish that GOD would quickly rescue you from your troubles, remember that HE can either deliver you or be your support, your strength, and your stronghold, as you go through them. – 17 “HE delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. 18 They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the LORD upheld me.” – Psalm 18:17-18 – Either way, HIS protection is best for you. When we feel like we are drowning in troubles, we can ask GOD to help us, hold us steady, and protect us. In HIS care, we are never helpless.
30 “As for GOD, HIS way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. HE is a shield for all who look to HIM for protection. 31 For who is GOD except the LORD? Who but our GOD is a solid rock?” – Psalm 18:30-31 – Some people think that belief in GOD is a crutch for weak people who cannot make it on their own. GOD is indeed a shield to protect us when we are too weak to face certain trials by ourselves, but HE does not want us to remain weak. HE strengthens, protects, and guides us in order to send us back into an evil world to fight for HIM. And then HE continues to work with us because the strongest person on earth is infinitely weaker than GOD and needs HIS help. David was not a coward, HE was a mighty warrior who, even with all his armies and weapons, knew that only GOD could ultimately protect and save HIM. Only GOD can ultimately protect and save us.
32 “GOD arms me with strength; HE has made my way safe. 33 HE makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountains heights. 34 HE prepares me for battle; HE strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze. 35 YOU have given me the shield of YOUR salvation. YOUR right hand supports me; YOUR gentleness has made me great. 36 YOU have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” – Psalm 32-36 – GOD promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but HE doesn’t promise to eliminate them. If HE gave us no rough roads to walk, no mountains to climb, and no battles to fight, we would not grow. However, HE does not leave us alone with our challenges. Instead, HE stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.
Praise YOU Father! Thank YOU for protection, strength, and salvation! We love YOU, LORD; YOU are our strength, our rock, our fortress, and our savior. YOU, Father GOD are our rock, in whom we find protection. YOU are our shield, the strength of our salvation, and our stronghold. We will call on YOU, LORD, who is worthy of praise, for YOU save us from our enemies. YOU reach down from heaven and rescue us. YOU draw us out of deep waters of despair. YOUR way is perfect, LORD. All of YOUR promises prove true. YOU are a shield for all who look to YOU for protection. YOU are our LORD, our solid rock. YOU arm us with strength; YOU make our way safe, and make us as surefooted as a deer, leading us safely along the mountains heights. YOU prepare us for battle and YOU strengthen us by giving us the shield of YOUR salvation. YOUR right hand supports us and YOU have made a wide path for our feet to keep them from slipping.
Photo: Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
