22nd March 2025

Our Shelter

The Lord is my rock, . . . He is my stronghold,

my refuge and my saviour:

2 Samuel 2:22-23

Today's Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16.

In 2 Samuel 22, as King David was coming towards the end of his life, he wrote a song of praise. It recounts his history with his enemies and how God rescued the king over and over again 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 Sam 8:20). After the failure of Saul as king, 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 too, that their true deliverer was and always will be their God.

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” (v 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 (v 2–3).

Today's Prayer: Dear Father God, My time spent in prayer with You, is the highlight of my day. To know You are waiting to have this communion humbles me. Yet You say I can come boldly, this I do now, knowing You hear me! In Jesus Mighty name. Amen.

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