Saturday 12-10-22 6th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Kislev 15, 5783 80th. Fall Day
Read: 2 Samuel 22:1–7 | Bible in a Year: Hosea 1–4; Revelation 1
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The Lord is my rock, . . . He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior. 2 Samuel 22:2–3
The sixth-grade basketball game was well underway. Parents and grandparents were cheering on their players, while younger brothers and sisters of the boys on the teams entertained themselves out in the school hallway. Suddenly, sirens blared and lights flashed in the gym. A fire alarm had been tripped. Soon the siblings came streaming back into the gym in panic, looking for their parents.
There was no fire; the alarm had accidentally been activated. But as I watched, I was struck by the way the children—sensing a crisis—unashamedly ran to embrace their parents. What a picture of confidence in those who could provide a sense of safety and reassurance in a time of fear!
Scripture presents a time when David experienced great fear. Saul and numerous other enemies (2 Samuel 22:1) pursued him. After God delivered David to safety, the grateful man sang an eloquent song of praise about His help.
He called God “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” (v. 2). When the “cords of the grave” and “the snares of death” (v. 6) hounded him, David “called out” to God and his “cry came to [God’s] ears” (v. 7). In the end, David proclaimed He “rescued me” (vv. 18, 20, 49).
In times of fear and uncertainty, we can run to the “Rock” (v. 32). As we call on God’s name, He alone provides the refuge and shelter we need (vv. 2–3).
What fear are you dealing with these days? How can God help you face it and deal with it?
Dear God, when I’m afraid, remind me to trust You—to depend on You—and praise Your name.
For further study, read Hope: Discovering the One True Source.
At the beginning of the books of Samuel, Israel wanted a king who would fight for them “like all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:20). After the failure of Saul, David became that king. He fought their battles, and he won. But in his final song of praise to God, he pointed out that it was ultimately God—not himself—who did the true saving. His words became the song we know as Psalm 18. The Israelites incorporated the king’s personal words of praise into their liturgy. Whenever the song was sung, it reminded them—and should remind us—that their true deliverer was and always will be their God.
By dave branon|December 10th, 2022
God, Character 2 Samuel Twenty Two: 1-7
1 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
Love, Walter and Debbie
Read: 2 Samuel 22:1–7 | Bible in a Year: Hosea 1–4; Revelation 1
Download MP3
Subscribe to iTunes
The Lord is my rock, . . . He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior. 2 Samuel 22:2–3
The sixth-grade basketball game was well underway. Parents and grandparents were cheering on their players, while younger brothers and sisters of the boys on the teams entertained themselves out in the school hallway. Suddenly, sirens blared and lights flashed in the gym. A fire alarm had been tripped. Soon the siblings came streaming back into the gym in panic, looking for their parents.
There was no fire; the alarm had accidentally been activated. But as I watched, I was struck by the way the children—sensing a crisis—unashamedly ran to embrace their parents. What a picture of confidence in those who could provide a sense of safety and reassurance in a time of fear!
Scripture presents a time when David experienced great fear. Saul and numerous other enemies (2 Samuel 22:1) pursued him. After God delivered David to safety, the grateful man sang an eloquent song of praise about His help.
He called God “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” (v. 2). When the “cords of the grave” and “the snares of death” (v. 6) hounded him, David “called out” to God and his “cry came to [God’s] ears” (v. 7). In the end, David proclaimed He “rescued me” (vv. 18, 20, 49).
In times of fear and uncertainty, we can run to the “Rock” (v. 32). As we call on God’s name, He alone provides the refuge and shelter we need (vv. 2–3).
What fear are you dealing with these days? How can God help you face it and deal with it?
Dear God, when I’m afraid, remind me to trust You—to depend on You—and praise Your name.
For further study, read Hope: Discovering the One True Source.
INSIGHT
David’s song of praise in 2 Samuel 22 comes toward the end of his life. It recounts his history with his enemies and how God rescued the king over and over through years of challenges, danger, and hardship.At the beginning of the books of Samuel, Israel wanted a king who would fight for them “like all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:20). After the failure of Saul, David became that king. He fought their battles, and he won. But in his final song of praise to God, he pointed out that it was ultimately God—not himself—who did the true saving. His words became the song we know as Psalm 18. The Israelites incorporated the king’s personal words of praise into their liturgy. Whenever the song was sung, it reminded them—and should remind us—that their true deliverer was and always will be their God.
By dave branon|December 10th, 2022
God, Character 2 Samuel Twenty Two: 1-7
1 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
Love, Walter and Debbie