PSALM 18:1-2 – I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
THEME OF THE DAY. HE IS ALL WE NEED NOW AND FOREVER. It is no surprise David opens his psalm with the words “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” And I don’t think this was a mindless proclamation like those times in church we sing a great hymn or song of the faith but never ponder the truth, the application, or the wonder of God in the lyrics. No, I think David’s “heart strings” are pulled tight and he is bellowing these words with affectionate force and volume. And he should! What unfolds from his pen and heart are declarations of all his God is to him.
In the unfolding of the first two verses of Psalm 18, we are given eight descriptions of what God is to His children. Looking at these, we learn the Lord is all we need now and forever. So, when life is tough and we feel like we have arrived at the end of our ropes, run to these descriptions. Meditate upon them and allow them to prove Christ is enough no matter how difficult our circumstances. Let’s identify six of them.
In Christ, He is our strength. When we are drained of energy – emotionally, spiritually, and physically – we may look to Jesus and appropriate by faith in Him, the necessary might, power, and strength to continue to fight the good fight, run the race, and finish the course (2 Timothy 4:7).
In Christ, we also discover a wide and wonderful range of descriptions of Him being the believer’s protection. Oh, do we so need an awareness and application of this in the days in which we live! The world is a dangerous place. Our spiritual foes are strong. We are weak and timid sheep. And what is Christ to us? Not only the Good Shepherd caring for and guiding us, but also a Mighty King and Warrior protecting us sheep. Slowly ponder each word describing our Lord’s protective nature over us, then enjoy the confidence and comfort we gain from each that affirms He is all we need now and forever. Jesus is our protection as a fortress, deliverer, rock, refuge, and shield. This means no foe in the physical or spiritual world exists that is able to penetrate the power and strength in Jesus as the fortress, deliverer, rock, refuge, and shield of His people. And here is the greatest word associated with all these descriptions of Christ’s sufficiency in strength and protection – my. He is a personal Christ sent for individuals to be all they will ever need, now and forever. Rest in this truth all the way home to heaven!
PRAYER: “Father, I so praise You for the sufficiency of Your Son to meet all my needs, now and forever.”
QUOTE: “Christ – our strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield and stronghold. Praise Him. He is enough.”