THE LORD: OUR ROCK, OUR FORTRESS, OUR SAVIOUR
Read Psalm 18: 1-20
Although we often like to think of ourselves as the victors when we overcome our `enemies' , trials and temptations- and it is not wrong to take pride in our accomplishments - we need to remember the importance our relationship with God plays in our ultimate triumph.
Right from the start David makes it clear that GOD is his strength, his fortress and his deliver. Many times death `entangled him' and his enemies `laid a trap in his path'. But what did David do? DAVID PRAYED. And did God listen to David's prays? Did God answer? YOU BETCHA!
What a wonderful description of how David saw God's rescue:
"He opened the Heavens and came down...... He thundered from Heaven, the voice of the Most High resounded......He reached down from Heaven and rescued me." Psalm 18:9-16
You may not think you have experienced such a demonstration of God's glory in your life, but just think about what Jesus did for you.
"He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be whole." Isaiah 53:5
"He became their Saviour. In all their suffering, He also suffered, and He personally rescued them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them. He lifted them up and redeemed them." Isaiah 63:8&9.
Why did the Lord rescue David from his enemies? Why did God send His son to be our Saviour? Well this is a verse I have missed before, but it is the most powerful of all.
"He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me." Psalm 18:19 (NLT)\
"I stood there saved, surprised to be loved." Psalm 18:19 (The Message)
We shouldn't be surprised that God LOVES us. He has not only promised us salvation, but eternal life with him forever, for He is our ROCK, OUR FORTRESS AND OUR SAVIOR.
"God showed us how much he loved by sending us His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love - not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as as a sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4: 9&10
1. The biggest demonstration you have in your life is of God's love. Tell us your story.
COMFORT IN INTEGRITY
Read Psalm 18:20-28, 1 John 3:3-10, 18-24; Ephesians 5:1-10
David wrote this psalm before his adultery, before his problems with his son. He may not have been the best husband or father, but he had endeavoured to be a faithful servant of God.
* He had kept the ways of the Lord.
* He had turned from following evil.
* He had followed God's regulations.
* He had kept himself from sin.
David took comfort in his integrity and this is not a bad thing. For we are encouraged throughout the New Testament, from the Gospel and letter writers, and from Jesus himself, to live righteous lives.
"And now dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ, so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame. So that we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what what is right are God's children.", 1 John 2:28:29
I've made mention of this before that growing up I had quite a reputation for being a `goody goody'. It's not that I didn't face temptation or peer pressure - I was a teenage girl. But someone held me back - someone I loved more than any good looking guy - it was my desire to serve God. I knew I couldn't do this unless I kept my mind and body pure. I had to be seen as a child of God - a young woman of integrity.
"Jesus replied, "My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light." John 12:35&36
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love following an example of Christ.......Once you were full of darkness, but now you have the light of the Lord. So live as children of the light." Ephesians 5:1&2, 8
Jesus often spoke of himself as the `Light of the World', and Paul spoke of this in his letter to the Ephesians. What does this mean? I believe, it is simply as David saw it: taking comfort in living in integrity, living a life that is pleasing to God, following His ways that are written in His Word as best we can, and by doing this, we can be a witness to others
"WE ARE MADE FOR GOODNESS BY GOD, WHO IS GOODNESS ITSELF. WE ARE MADE FOR AND LIKE GOD, WHO IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF GOODNESS." Bishop Desmond Tutu .1
2.a) Do you agree with this statement made by Bishop Tutu. Why? Why not?
b) Do you think like David we should `take comfort in integrity'? What do you think this means?
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, Tyndale House Publishers.
The Message, 2002, Eugene.H.Peterson, NavPress.
The Life of David as Reflected in the Psalms, Alexander McLaren, Samizdat Express
1. "Made for Goodness", 2010, Desmond & Mpho Tutu, Harper Collins.
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