Tag: Psalm 18

Peace Or I’ll Squash You

Numbers 15-16

Psalm 18

Mark 3

–Devotion by Emilee Christian (MO)

When I was a little girl, my mom got her tonsils removed. My brother, sister, and I were all very young, probably all under the age of ten. The healing process of a tonsillectomy is intense, especially for adults. It is recommended you refrain from talking while in recovery. One day, while my mom was resting in bed, us kids played in the basement. We must have woken up Mom because I distinctly remember seeing her round the corner of the basement steps looking angry and disheveled. She held up two fingers, indicating the peace sign. Then, she clapped her hands very loudly. We later learned the clapping was to get our attention, since she was unable to talk. However, we all understood her message as, “Peace or I’ll squash you!” I can still picture it in my mind, today. Never had we been more afraid of Mom than in that moment. You can bet we played quietly afterwards! 

Now, my mom is not a violent person. Spankings were used sparingly in our household. We look back on that memory now and laugh. Yet I will never forget the way I felt receiving the “Peace or I’ll squash you” message. The fear and awe, wondering what exactly she meant by squashing but knowing I don’t want to find out. This was mixed with the knowledge that she is my mother who loves me dearly and whom I love in return. I have since come to realize that is the same fear and awe in which we should approach God. God loves us. Immensely. But He does have the ability to squash us. 

The fear of the LORD isn’t a hide behind a rock shaking and afraid sort of fear. It’s a healthy reverence. It’s recognizing God’s power over our lives, His ability to do miraculous things. It’s respect. 

We see a lot of God’s power in our readings today. We see his power to punish the wicked in Numbers and Psalms. Psalms 18:7-15 is an incredible visual describing God’ s power and sovereignty over nature. We see how God has power over our problems and our enemies as David tells of how the LORD delivered him. We see God’s power over demons working through Jesus Christ and His power to heal in Mark 3. Finally we see His power to forgive sins, explained in Mark 3:28 and throughout Numbers. 

So, what do we do with this knowledge of God’s power? Well, I think the answer is in Numbers 15:37-41. We would do well to remember. To not forget God’s great power. To look to Him as David looked to Him to be our supporter, our rock, our light as is described in Psalms 18. The LORD knew our fickleness. Our ability to forget. That’s why he instructed the Israelites to wear the tassels, to serve as a physical reminder. I believe we, today, could benefit from physical reminders as well. Our “tassles” may look different than they did back in Bible times. Maybe it’s a bible verse as our lockscreen on our devices or a notecard taped to the bathroom mirror. Maybe it’s a piece of jewelry you wear everyday. Maybe, not to get too controversial here, it’s a tattoo. Or, maybe, it’s a piece of decor someplace prominent in your house you’ll see everyday. Or it could be a bumper sticker you see every time you get into your car. A stone you carry in your pocket. A keychain on your keys. A water bottle or coffee cup with your favorite verse. A pen you use everyday.  

We should apply the idea of tassels to our own lives. In doing so, may we be humbled by this. May it lead us to stand in awe of God’s great glory. May we come to a healthy fear of LORD. 

Reflection Questions

  1. How would you explain the fear of the LORD to someone? How is it different from the fear in 1 John 4:18?
  2. Do you have a “tassle”? What is it? If not, what can you do to create one?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for your might, your strength, and your goodness. Thank you for your instructions. For keeping our best interest at heart. May we remember how great You are. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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A Good Day

1 Samuel 28-31

Psalm 18

Do you have good days?  Days when you feel God’s hand moving in your life.  Days when you feel protected.  Days when you feel good about doing what is right.

David wrote this Psalm on a good day.  On a day that God delivered him from his enemies.  Here is a small sample of what David faced:

Vs 4 – the cords of death encompassed me

Vs 16 – he drew me out of many waters

Vs 17 – rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me

Vs 18 – they confronted me in the day of my calamity

Vs 48 – my enemies, the man of violence

I’m guessing most of us don’t face literal enemies who are trying to kill us.  However, we do face the enemy every day.  Does that sound crazy to you?  Do you consider that Satan is attacking you on every front every day? 

Here are some ways Satan attacks each one of us:  temptations, deception & lies, discouragement, fear, doubt, and the list goes on.  But, as I often ask, what does that look/sound like?   I believe it’s different, specifically, for each of us.  What tempts me might not tempt you at all.   Here are some examples:    

  • A group of friends or co-workers are talking about someone you know.  They are suggesting this person is doing some really bad things.  You feel included when you are part of the conversation and you like that feeling.  You feel important being “in the know” when you see others later and share the details discussed.  Information is power and you like holding that power. 
  • Things haven’t been going well for you.  Maybe it’s being overlooked for a job promotion.  Maybe it’s relationships falling apart.  Maybe it’s an illness.  You begin to be discouraged.  You start to doubt God’s goodness and love for you.  You listen to the voice telling you that you will always be a failure, you won’t ever get well, God doesn’t care, nobody cares….

So what did David do when he faced all of these enemies?  He called out to God (vs 6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help”).  That should be our first response to any attack by the enemy. 

In verses 20-24 David tells us how he made the right choices, followed God’s rules, and was blameless before him.  I know I can’t say that about myself.  But, looking at what we know of all people, and what we know about David later in his life, we know no one always does what is right (except Jesus, but this was long before his time…).  David wanted to do what was right.  I want to do what is right.  David expresses in this Psalm that his strength to be blameless (forgiven?) comes from God; that his support comes from God; that God rescues him from his enemies.  We, having the same God as David, can trust in God’s strength, in His support and in His deliverance. 

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you call out to God FIRST when your enemies attack?   Think of a time you called out to God for his help (even if it was as a last resort) and you saw His deliverance.  Share that with someone who is struggling (maybe that’s you). 
  2. Cross check your thoughts against God’s Word.  We often “hear” what we want to hear when it is really the enemy speaking, not God.  God will never tell you something or lead you somewhere that contradicts Scripture.
  3. On your good days, don’t forget to thank God.  Did you call out to God for help, clarity, protection, strength, etc. today?  What can you thank Him for, even while you wait for other answers?
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A Goldmine

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 31 & 32

Psalms Reading: Psalm 18

New Testament Reading: Matthew 17

In a year that we are searching in His words for who God is, Psalm 18 is a goldmine. Almost no seeking is required, just taking it in, line after line after line. In 50 verses David shares who His God is: what God has done and why, what He loves, what He doesn’t love, His super powers, what He offers and provides and gives, what is perfect about Him, what He delivers us from, and why He is worthy of praise.

The first time I read Psalm 18 this week I journaled what I saw regarding God – it was the first Psalm that took a full page to record my observations, and I am sure I missed some. Here’s just a sampling from my journal page (with some added thoughts):

  • God – MY strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation, stronghold, worthy of praise… (written by David so he was the original “MY” referred to – but not the only – thank you God for being MY strength, too)
  • He hears me from his temple…(I am not used to being heard by the “higher-ups” – but here is the Highest of them all, and He hears me.)
  • He gets angry – earth trembles and quakes, mountains shook…
  • He reached down from on high and rescued me…
  • He’s my support…
  • To turn from Him is evil…
  • God saves the humble…not so the haughty… (Be humble, don’t be haughty)
  • To the faithful/blameless/pure – He shows Himself to be faithful/blameless/pure…. (but don’t be crooked with Him, unless you are curious what His other side looks like).
  • The LORD lives!…

As I re-read I began looking for what verse or phrase I would choose to create a picture to accompany the devotion – there were way too many I wanted to use! Here are some of my personal top choices, that I didn’t end up using…

“I call to the LORD who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” (vs 3) – (My enemies will look different from David’s – we each have a different purpose from God to fulfill and different enemies to overcome – but we both have the same God who is worthy of praise and who saves from the enemy.)

“He rescued me because He delighted in me.” (vs 19) – (Thank you God for delighting in me – and rescuing me. Your love and your power work perfectly together. And I am the blessed recipient of both.)

“My God turns my darkness into light.” (vs 28) – (How’s that for a lightbulb moment?)

“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” (vs 35) – (Don’t you love the picture that creates in your mind! Re-read it again slower. How is God trying to pass you His shield of victory today?)

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless.” (vs 30) – (Is there anything else in this world that is perfect? We are so used to flawed, broken and mediocre – but that is NOT My God – his way and his word are perfect – and they are for me!)

What pictures/passages do you like best in Psalm 18? What do they tell you about God? Is He YOUR God, too?

Remember those book reports you did back in elementary school when you had to create something to show you learned something from the reading – a mobile, a shoebox diorama, a character chart. I encourage you to create something from Psalm 18 – a journal page, memory verse cards for your bathroom mirror, a friend’s refrigerator and the wallets of all your family members, a wall hanging for your home or your neighbor’s, a card or text for a friend who is feeling surrounded by enemies today.

Read His words and remember and share. God is worthy of praise. “I love you, O LORD, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1 NIV)

-Marcia Railton

If you were hoping for a devotion today over Matthew 17 and the Transfiguration which is a very interesting “highlight” of Jesus’ earthly ministry, here’s a good one called A Mountain Top Experience by Rebecca Dauksas.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what way do you think God wants to give you His shield of victory today? How might you receive it? What enemies is God able to help you overcome?
  2. How might your day be different if you remember all day long who Your God is?
  3. Just as we can benefit from David sharing with us how God has helped him, how can you share with others how God has helped you and how might it benefit them?
  4. What pictures/passages do you like best in Psalm 18? What do they tell you about God? Is He YOUR God, too?
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