In The Word
Read: Psalm 18:31-50
31 For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God,
32 The God who encircles me with strength,
And makes my way blameless?
33 He makes my feet like deer’s feet,
And sets me up on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for battle,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,
And Your right hand upholds me;
And Your gentleness makes me great.
36 You enlarge my steps under me,
And my feet have not slipped.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them,
And I did not turn back until they were consumed.
38 I shattered them, so that they were not able to rise;
They fell under my feet.
39 For You have encircled me with strength for battle;
You have forced those who rose up against me to bow down under me.
40 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me,
And I destroyed those who hated me.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save,
They cried to the Lord, but He did not answer them.
42 Then I beat them fine like the dust before the wind;
I emptied them out like the mud of the streets.
43 You have rescued me from the contentions of the people;
You have placed me as head of the nations;
A people whom I have not known serve me.
44 As soon as they hear, they obey me;
Foreigners pretend to obey me.
45 Foreigners lose heart,
And come trembling out of their fortresses.
46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be the God of my salvation,
47 The God who executes vengeance for me,
And subdues peoples under me.
48 He rescues me from my enemies;
You indeed lift me above those who rise up against me;
You rescue me from a violent man.
49 Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, Lord,
And I will sing praises to Your name.
50 He gives great salvation to His king,
And shows faithfulness to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forever.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In this passage, we see the power of our God defending His faithful ones who love Him with the entirety of their lives. We serve a God who will fight for us and come to our aid. This starts with God being our very source of life. We must wait on His deliverance.
So many times we will take up our own defense and fight a fight that ultimately belongs to God. Whether it is the pressures of life or false accusations, we must know that God is our vindicator. He will make things right. We often need to be reminded that there is only one lawgiver and judge who can make things right: our Holy Father (James 4:12). All too often we like to take matters into our own hands and end up making things worse, causing more of an issue than if we were to patiently wait on Him. Waiting on Him to move in your situation is a testing of your faith. It can produce perseverance so that you can become mature and complete not lacking anything (James 1:2-4). Jesus also tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). We must trust in Him. Whatever the situation you may be walking through today, know that the battle is God’s. You must put it in His hands. He is your rock, your fortress, and your refuge.