[321 words]
“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of my salvation, the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me. He delivers me from my enemies; surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man” (Psalm 18:47,48).
Recalling all that God has given causes David to say in praise, “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock.” These words are written to extol God, who is the One behind all his successes. David prays, “Exalted be the God of my salvation,” because He is the One who has done it.
What does God do for David? He is “the God who executes vengeance,” the One who wins the battles and annihilates the foes. He is the One who “subdues peoples” and puts them under David. God brings subjugation to his foes but leadership to David. For emphasis, he says, “He delivers me from my enemies.” Then he prays, “Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me.” God gives him victory over the enemy. “You rescue me from the violent man,” David says. Evil, vicious men seek his life, but God enables him to overcome them.
God raised David to a place of international eminence. Foreign nations were subject to him. When they heard of his power, some immediately submitted to him. Others tried to stand against him but faded from opposing him like a flower without water before the sun. They soon came out of their strongholds and laid down their armor before their conqueror.
Key Thought: With David, we can praise God for what He has done for us. We can use the “therefore” of 1 Peter 5:6-7: ”Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
Eddie Cloer
via Ashdown Church of Christ
Ashdown, AR