Rock!

I was reading Psalm 18 this morning and had a devotional with Michelle and our daughter, Angela. We were at Starbucks discussing the Scripture.

King David wrote the Psalms. He was in desperate need of the Rock! His Lord is the Rock! The Rock provides David the following:

A place of safety.
Protection.
Shield.
A place to hide.

What was David facing that demands these things? If God was for him, who can be against him? If he was called, "a man after God's own heart," why is he worrying about his own life?

To name a few, King Saul was after King David. Saul wanted David dead! Plus, David had many enemies because David fought against them for God. Though, God was with David throughout his life, David still feared for his own life and safety. David was a man of war. You would think David would be tough and without fear. But not so. Though he was a strong soldier, David had some weaknesses. And we're blessed to learn from his weakness and his dependance on God.

In a lot of ways, we can relate to David's prayer to God for His Rock, Shelter, Fortress, Protection, Safety and be elevated High in the Hills to Hide! All of us have some fears in this life. You may think you have it all that you're able to conquer everything. That would be nice. But each of us have either a hint or a bucket of fear.

Now, what do we fear? Is anyone coming after us to kill us? Like Saul chasing after David? Do we have a "Saul" in our life? Who is our "Saul"?

"A thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.." John 10:10

Our "Saul" is Satan himself. He's is out in the world to tempt us and make us fall away from the grace of God. What happens if we live our lives without our Lord Jesus Christ? What happens if we fall into temptation? What happens if "fear" drives us away from the Lord? What do we do?

Psalm 18 is a good chapter to read and examine our own life:

We cry out to God!
We call to Him for help!
We need to see that God is able to come and rescue us.
We need to see the fury of His wrath against those who turn against us.
God is LOUD! Louder than our problems.
God can shake away our temptations.
God reaches down to us! (Even though, some people feel God is distant..)
God is able: to rescue me, to lead me to a safe place, to support me.

Once we're free (temporarily) from our temptations, is that all we need to do?

The ROCK isn't finished with us. He may say this, "It's only the beginning..." So now what?

"He trains me for war so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow." Ps. 18:34

I've had a share of my experience with a "real" bow and arrow. Easy? Nope! It was tough! You have to do alot of "multitasking" with a bow and arrow. The aim: BULLSEYE! THE SMALL RED DOT! But you're wrestling with sustaining the strength to keep the bow primed back while the arrow is in its place. Then eyeing on the target. Checking the wind. The obstacles. The distractions. Too much going on over fixing on one small bullseye!

Yes! God wants to train us for the next battle. If we are to depend on our Rock, our Fortress, our Salvation.. We need to always be ready for the next battle against "Saul"! He does both: salvation and persuades me to attack my enemies:

"The Lord lives! I praise my Rock, the God who saves me. How great he is!.. ..You, Lord, help me defeat those who attack me. You save me from cruel people.." Ps. 18:46, 48.