Stronger Still

“David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul…

‘The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
    my stronghold and my refuge,
    my savior; you save me from violence.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

‘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.

‘Then the earth reeled and rocked;
    the foundations of the heavens trembled
    and quaked, because he was angry.
Smoke went up from his nostrils,
    and devouring fire from his mouth;
    glowing coals flamed forth from him.
He bowed the heavens and came down;
    thick darkness was under his feet.
He rode on a cherub and flew;
    he was seen on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness around him his canopy,
    thick clouds, a gathering of water.
Out of the brightness before him
    coals of fire flamed forth.
The Lord thundered from heaven,
    and the Most High uttered his voice.
And he sent out arrows and scattered them;
    lightning, and routed them.
Then the channels of the sea were seen;
    the foundations of the world were laid bare,
at the rebuke of the Lord,
    at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

‘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.” 2 Samuel 22:1-20

David did not need to imagine opposition that encompassed, assailed, confronted, and entangled. He experienced it firsthand from the king of the land. He knew desperation. But even better, he knew his God. The greater and stronger the onslaught against him, the greater and stronger did his Savior perform.

How well do we know God compared to our enemies seen and unseen? When we trust Him implicitly and practically as our Shield and Deliverer, He floods our darkness with light, weakness with strength, despair with hope, anxiety with praise. He is greater than any opposition, stronger than any formidable foe. (2 Samuel 22:29-32,34-37,40,47,50-51; 1 John 4:4)

Is my battle fierce? God my Defender is fiercer still. Is temptation strong? God the Victor is stronger still. Do circumstances press in? God the Shield round about is closer still. Would I react to these earthly pressures reckoning these truths true? Would I lift weighty pain onto His mighty shoulders, frail attempts into His loving hands? The transfer of care is what enables us to know His superiority over all things flesh and heavenly, freeing us to praise Him. (Psalm 3:3; 55:22; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:7)

Lord, in every onslaught, keep my eyes and confidence fixed on Your ability, and my song lifting Your majesty and praise.