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
- 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).
- 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.
- 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?
Seek Grow Love 