Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
PEOPLE OF GOD – BODY OF JESUS CHRIST
Bible portion: psalm 18:1-6I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Vs 3
David used five metaphors to describe his absoulute trust in God. He viewed God as his rock, fortress, shield, the horn of salvation, and his stronghold. An unsusal hebrew expression of love for God, which emphasizes the intensity of his intimacy for God is portrayed here, who is his ultimate strength. When he said he loved God – the hebrew word “raham” is used ,which depicts the love, a mother has to a child who is in her womb. David used the word rock which symbolizes his unique strength as a fortress and refuge in the midst of varied and bad experiences he had from enemies. During the times when he faced the atrocities and danger that might have led him to snares of death, God heard his cry for help.
This is a psalm of praise. For David, God represented, as his security, his protection and the power to deliver from his enemies. Aren't these what people of God everywhere desire when facing helplessness, desperation ,and dark moments come in their lives.? We can pray at all times, no matter what we face, at the time of sickness, dark moments of life, pain and suffering from the cruel enemies. David was God's intimate friend and servant, he did not curse God at all, instead cried out to God in prayer. It is possible that this psalm is written as a song shortly after his victories over his many enemies.
David's life was full of dark events before he became the King, filled with depression,and fear as King Saul pursued him to wilderness, tried to kill him multiple times. For ten years he ran for life running from town to hiding places. During these dark years, David learned God is his rock and refuge. He knew that ,it was n't for God,David would not have made it. He learned to develop intimacy with God and a deep trust in Him. This Pslam is the product of his suffering and the victory through the almighty God.
Lord, help us to trust in you at all times, believe that you are our rock and fortress and a stronghold. Lord we admit that, it was not for our God, we would not have made it on several occasions in life. Amen.
Suffering and pain in life only lead people to write songs of trust and deliverance from God.
Dr.John K.Thomas Tabor MTC