“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” Psalm 31:3 NIV
As David calls upon the Lord to keep him safe from the threat that looms over his life and kingdom, he expresses full confidence that the Lord will preserve him. He knows that there is no security and safety outside of the Lord. His security in the Lord is seen in his usage of the words rock or strength; fortress or refuge. David used words in the Hebrew language to sing of the security he found in his great God during his years of running from King Saul. Such graphic pictures symbolized both comfort and help in a time of desperation. Saul’s vast superiority in both number and strength was thwarted by David’s God-given ability to hide in the many caves, canyons and rocks in the wilderness. As David looked back on his life, he was able to draw lessons from that period of intense fear that he experienced while on the run from Saul. His hope now rested more firmly in the Lord, and rather than run from his problems with Absalom, he purposed to walk forward in the strength of the Lord. This is very clear even in the word order David uses: “Since you are my rock”. The Lord was being put first as the source, the target, and the point of all David intended to do from then on. David filled Psalm 31 with statements to the Lord that “You are . . .” and he applied them to his situation.
We can do the same. Each time we find a truth about the Lord, we can repeat the truth back to Him – “You are . . .”. For example, we can say to the Lord: “God, You are a Rock – then be my Rock”. “God, You are Strength – then be my Strength”. By forming such a habit we can gain the greatest comfort and strength during times of trial.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, as we spend time in Your Word we are prepared for anything.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, thank You for who You are, and as we spend time in Your Word, it helps to prepare us to face those challenging times and situations in our lives. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Colossians 1:15-20
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