The prophet Samuel traveled to Bethlehem and anointed David as the new king of Israel. However, Saul, the reigning and now rejected king, wasn’t a fan of God’s decision. Saul was obsessed with killing the competition. Surrounded by his elite soldiers, Saul chased David around the countryside. After a close call, David wrote the words in today’s passage thanking God for delivering him.

Psalm 18:1-2
I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

David declares the Lord as his:

• Strength—David knows the energy to keep going comes from God.
• Rock—God is a great boulder we can hide behind in life’s fierce storms.
• Fortress—Think high, thick, impenetrable walls. Think protection.
• Shield—This defensive armor deflects all the flaming arrows of the devil.
• Power—Only he has the power to defeat death and give us eternal life.
• Savior—Ultimately, God liberates us and brings freedom.

Psalm 18 was not the last time God delivered David from Saul, but David lived one day at a time, declaring the great attributes of his great God. So can you.

Father, thank you for today’s strength, protection, and deliverance. I’ll be back tomorrow in need of the same things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Additional Resources

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