PSALM 18:2

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

TO PONDER

One of the things I think we often forget when we read the Psalms is that they are forms of ancient Hebrew poetry and song. They lean heavily on literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification. With that kind of language in play, it can be difficult to know how best to translate this stuff into other languages.

This passage is a good example of that.

The Hebrew word for shield in this verse is also rendered in other contexts as, 'sovereign' with the under standing that a large part of the role of a tribal leader or king was to protect the people whom the ruled over or had responsibility for.

Likewise, 'horns' were often used as a symbol or imagery to represent strength.

I point this out today, because I think sometimes we can think that this spiritual warfare, armour of God stuff is just a New Testament thing - something that we have only in light of Jesus death and resurrection. However, centuries before Jesus was even born, the people of Israel understood that God was their source of security, protection and strength. This is not a new thing God is doing, it is what God has always done. He loves, cares for, protects and defends his people. The difference with Jesus is just that he is the most visible and recognisable display of God doing that for us.

This is the eternal nature of God towards his people, he is your place of refuge, your source of strength, your deliver and your shield. If you ever find yourself questioning the truth of that, just look at all the messed up people who were able to do amazing things in the Bible simply because they knew that to e true. If God can love and use them, he can love and use you too.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us so many examples to see and to know the depth of your love, commitment and dedication to us as your people. Please help me to keep this truth in the front of my mind today and to lean more completely on you in every situation. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.