Study 54

Text: Psalm 18

ON A TRIUMPHANT NOTE

The battle against evil can be very stressful! Nevertheless, one does not need to be grim in outlook! It is possible to maintain a highly triumphant outlook of life. This spirit of high triumph is well evidenced in Psalm 18.

"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust.
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies."
Psalm 18:1-3

1. Confidence in the salvation of the Lord!

There many have been many enemies, but the number of enemies does not take away that confidence in the Lord's deliverance! Thus with a great sense of triumph, David declared that he would be "saved from his enemies."

2. Cultivation of a great relationship with the Lord

There are few things that could aid one's confidence in the Lord than the development of a strong relationship with Him. Let us look at how David sustained his relationship with the Lord. He could speak of the Lord in the following ways! Nine separate titles were ascribed to the Lord!

a) "My strength"
b) "My rock"
c) "My fortress"
d) "My deliverer"
e) "My God"
f) "My shield"
g) "The horn of my salvation"
h) "My stronghold"
i) "The Lord"

Each of these ascriptions may be said to describe the way in which David discovered the Lord in his life! How close David must have been to the Lord!

A LIFE-LONG CHALLENGE

How did David cultivate such a strong relationship with the Lord. The following phrase may well describe how he developed his walk with the Lord.

"I will call upon the Lord
Who is worthy to be praised."
Psalm 18:3a

Yes! The key lies in "calling" upon the Lord frequently. Nothing strengthens the spirit more than keeping in close touch with the Lord!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~

Released 19th December 2004, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore