The school basketball game was well underway. Parents and grandparents were cheering on their players, while younger brothers and sisters of the boys on the teams entertained themselves out in the school hallway. Suddenly, sirens blared and lights flashed in the gym. A fire alarm had been tripped. Soon the siblings came streaming back into the gym in panic, looking for their parents.
There was no fire; the alarm had accidentally been activated. But as I watched, I was struck by the way the children—sensing a crisis—unashamedly ran to embrace their parents. What a picture of confidence in those who could provide a sense of safety and reassurance in a time of fear!
Scripture presents a time when David experienced great fear. Saul and numerous other enemies (2 Samuel 22:1) pursued him. After God delivered David to safety, the grateful man sang an eloquent song of praise about His help. He called God “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” (v. 2). When the “cords of the grave” and “the snares of death” (v. 6) hounded him, David “called out” to God and his “cry came to [God’s] ears” (v. 7 ). In the end, David proclaimed He “rescued me” (vv. 18, 20, 49).
In times of fear and uncertainty, we can run to the “Rock” (v. 32). As we call on God’s name, He alone provides the refuge and shelter we need (vv. 2–3).
By Dave Branon
REFLECT & PRAY
What fear are you dealing with these days? How can God help you face it and deal with it?
Dear God, when I’m afraid, remind me to trust You—to depend on You—and praise Your name.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
David’s song of praise in 2 Samuel 22 comes towards the end of his life. It recounts his history with his enemies and how God rescued the king over and over through years of challenges, danger, and hardship.
At the beginning of the books of Samuel, Israel wanted a king who would fight for them “like all the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:20). After the failure of Saul, David became that king. He fought their battles, and he won. But in his final song of praise to God, he pointed out that it was ultimately God—not himself—who did the true saving. His words became the song we know as Psalm 18. The Israelites incorporated the king’s personal words of praise into their liturgy. Whenever the song was sung, it reminded them—and should remind us—that their true deliverer was and always will be their God.
Jed Ostoich
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