“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry reached his ears.
Then the earth reeled and rocked;
the foundations of the mountains trembled,
because he was angry.
Smoke went up from his nostrils,
and devouring fire from his mouth;
glowing coals flamed forth…
He bowed the heavens and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.
He rode on a cherub and flew;
he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him…
Out of the brightness before him
hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.
The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
and the Most High uttered his voice…
He sent out his arrows and scattered them;
he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
Then the channels of the sea were seen,
and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated 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…
By you I can run against a troop,
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 who take refuge in him.
For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?—
the God who equipped me with strength…
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,
and your right hand supported me,
your gentleness made me great.
You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip…
For you equipped me with strength for the battle…
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation.” Psalm 18:6-19,29-36,39a,46
David is overcome with thanksgiving to his Lord who delivered him from his enemies, including King Saul whom he served. Threatened, hunted, anxious, overwhelmed, he cried to the One who understood and moved heaven and earth to come to his aid. To this one driven to flee on the heights, the Lord condescended. To him steeped in darkness of soul He flashed light. For him hidden away in fear and trembling He made a wide place. There was no rock like his God. (1 Samuel 2:2)
Are we so thankful for Jesus who rescued us? Condescending to bring light to us distressed by sin and condemnation, He rebuked the enemy at Calvary to save us. Presently He meets us in the broad place of mercy and trains and shields us in ongoing battle. (Hebrews 4:16)
What is our present anguish? Have we cried to our Savior and marveled at His deliverance, even when it is not as we expected? Can we trace His gracious rescue from despair, fear, or hurt, and exalted Him? None compares with the Lord who loves to delight and is strong to save. (Zephaniah 3:17)
Lord my Rock, keep me coming to, trusting, and praising You.
As the rain and snow 