April 29, 2023 — Psalm 18

“You delivered me from strife with the peoples; you made me head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart, and came trembling out of their strongholds. The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation, the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me; who delivered me from my enemies; indeed, you exalted me above my adversaries; you delivered me from the violent. For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. Great triumphs he gives to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.” Psalm 18:43-50

“David declared that God was his strength. He knew that God never gets tired from being strong, so David was free to be weak. He declared that God was his rock, so David knew that he stood on solid ground. He declared that God was his fortress, so David knew that he was safe and secure in God’s presence. He declared that God was his deliverer. David knew that he would be rescued from his enemies and saved from himself. He declared that God was his shield, so the blows and fiery darts of accusation from the enemy couldn’t pierce him. He declared that God’s salvation was like a horn with which he could take ground. He didn’t just need to defend – he could use the gospel to assault the dark places. He declared that God was worthy of praise.” (Acts29.com, commentary on Psalm 18)

From David to Jesus Christ, the lineage from David to Jesus are people who fight the good fight and continue into the blessings of G-d until Jesus is crucified. But, as Paul says, Jesus came at the “right time” and many would say “just in time” to same all of humanity. As we look at the ways in which G-d rescued David and so many others, we are reminded that from the beginning, G-d had plans for G-d’s people. And, G-d has plans for you and me as well. The victory of Jesus is our own victory, given to us by the mighty hand of G-d. Through Jesus we share in his victory and are recipients of divine grace. G-d shows his steadfast love not only to his anointed, but to those who by faith submit their lives to his guidance.

Prayer: Praise, honor, and thanksgiving do we offer unto You, O Father of lights, from whom comes every good and every perfect gift, because You daily preserve us from many evils, guard us in many dangers, crown us with many blessings, enable our hearts to appreciate Your goodness, and to rejoice before You, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Pastor Dave