“For the waves of death encompassed me,
the torrents of destruction assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.
“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears…
“He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me…
For you are my lamp, O Lord,
and my God lightens my darkness.
For by you I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
“For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
This God is my strong refuge
and has made my way blameless.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation…
You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.” 2 Samuel 22:2-7,17-20,29-37
David knew walls. Walls of confusion, fear, anxiety over unknowns. Walls of broken relationships, poor communication, misunderstanding, and of failing to see things eye to eye. Walls of opposition, confrontation, pursuing enemies. Walls of isolation, loneliness, depression, no way of escape, hopelessness. Walls of difficulties, impossibilities, incurables, with no realistic way to revive or redeem. (1 Samuel 25:1-35; 2 Samuel 6:16-22)
David also knew his God. He was his rock, deliverer, and rescuer. His Lord was his savior from violence, death, and disaster. Whatever David’s distress, calamity, or impossible place, his Lord was the One who made able his feet to leap over walls and stand secure, rest unshaken, trust with immovable faith in His promises.
We encounter many of the same walls today, physical and mental foes that try to thwart our progress in faith, disrupt optimism, impede good communication, or block off hopeful expectancy. All around us walls of hatred, ridicule, and contorted views being parlayed as truth put barriers between what is perceived and what is real. Will we call on the Lord for rescue and light to be wise? Will we yield to His training, and take hold of His word and perfect way? There is none like Him!
With His help we can tear down walls of hostility, speak truth that transforms, and love others until their hearts melt at seeing Jesus. We can replace man-made walls with the solid rock of Christ as central in our life motivation and conversation. What difference will we commit to make?
Lord, equip me for daily battles with the one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. In Your name and power may I leap over the world’s walls, and share Your abundance of freedom and joy with those who know You not. (John 10:10)
As the rain and snow 