For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:
I love You, LORD; You are my strength. (Psalms 18:1 NLT)
David was not only a great warrior. He was also a great song-writer. David is credited with writing many of the Psalms we have in our Bibles today. I've often found myself wondering why it is difficult for me to read his psalms. Was it because I don't hear the music in my head to match it's originally intended expression? Perhaps it is because I don't completely understand the situation in which it was written.
In recent months, though, I think I'm finding the real reason I struggle: their honesty. Take a look at this one.
David is often honest about his fears, anger, hurts, joy, and even pleasures. He openly shares whatever is on his mind and heart with God. Sometimes he cries out in agony. Other times he calls out to God, asking Him to destroy David's enemies. Still others, he sings like a child safely ensconsed in his Father's loving, protective care. David is completely honest in his psalms.
Sometimes I find myself uncomfortable with his honesty, because he is being honest about his "bad boxes." He expresses his fear when God doesn't want us afraid. He expresses his anger when God tells us to get rid of all anger. He expresses whatever is on his mind, even when those things are not of God. I get uncomfortable because I've had thoughts in my mind and heart that are not of God either. The honesty of his psalms cause me to face my own shortcomings. So, I get uncomfortable.
Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of His anger. Smoke poured from His nostrils; fierce flames leaped from His mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from Him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath His feet. Mounted on a mighty angelic being, He flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded Himself in darkness, veiling His approach with dark rain clouds. Thick clouds shielded the brightness around Him and rained down hail and burning coals. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. He shot His arrows and scattered His enemies; His lightning flashed, and they were greatly confused. Then at Your command, O LORD, at the blast of Your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. (Psalms 18:7-15 NLT)
Then I realized the beauty of David's work. He doesn't stay there. He doesn't stay in the dark, scary places of his mind. Instead, he looks for God to see the situation differently. God will punish any wickedness and evil that has ever existed. God is bigger and stronger than any situation or enemy we face - even our own temptations. God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. God is in the picture. How will we respond to God?
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me. The LORD rewarded me for doing right; He restored me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. I have followed all His regulations; I have never abandoned His decrees. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. To the faithful You show Yourself faithful; to those with integrity You show integrity. To the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the wicked You show Yourself hostile. You rescue the humble, but You humiliate the proud. You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. In Your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; He strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me Your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; Your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (Psalms 18:16-36 NLT)
How does David respond? He walks with God. Even with all of the "bad boxes" he faces in his own mind, he recognizes that God rewards him when he chooses God's ways. He knows that the good fortune he receives comes directly from God and is a blessing for obedience. The fruit of God's Spirit comes to those who receive His Spirit and then walk by His Spirit. God wants us to be honest with Him, but then wants us to walk with Him. When we do, our lives are better.
I chased my enemies and caught them; I did not stop until they were conquered. I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet. You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued my enemies under my feet. You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me. They called for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the LORD, but He refused to answer. I ground them as fine as dust in the wind. I swept them into the gutter like dirt. You gave me victory over my accusers. You appointed me ruler over nations; people I don't even know now serve me. As soon as they hear of me, they submit; foreign nations cringe before me. They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds. (Psalms 18:37-45 NLT)
David knows that his victories in battle come from God. Those victories only come when we are on God's side. Fighting against God is never a good option. It always ends up bad for us. But when we choose to walk with Him, who can stand against us? No one - because they aren't fighting us. They're fighting Him. It really is all about God.
The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! He is the God who pays back those who harm me; He subdues the nations under me and rescues me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; You save me from violent opponents. For this, O LORD, I will praise You among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. You give great victories to Your king; You show unfailing love to Your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever. (Psalms 18:46-50 NLT)
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