GOD IS OUR FAITHFUL PROVIDER

April 13, 2019 | Psalm 18:1–29

If you’ve ever seen the sun rise over the ocean, you know it is breathtaking. Over the darkness of the horizon, you see a tiny pinpoint of light. Then, steadily and surely, the light rises, and the point becomes a circle. The entire sky is transformed by this fireball of light. People often burst into spontaneous applause at the sight of a sunrise. What a magnificent reminder of God’s daily provision.

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
YOU, LORD, KEEP MY LAMP BURNING; MY GOD TURNS MY DARKNESS INTO LIGHT. PSALM 18:28
While today we are focusing only on the first portion of Psalm 18, the entire psalm celebrates God’s faithfulness. The first verse sums up the Psalm: “I love you, Lord, my strength.” David had been delivered from his enemies and from Saul, whose intent was to take his life. Here David sings praise to God, who consistently comes to his rescue.

David’s situation was so severe that he teetered on the brink of death. Note the poetic description he uses, as death entangles, overwhelms and confronts him (vv. 4–5). When we face significant trials, it can certainly feel like the problems take on a life or character of their own. But those problems pale in the face of the mighty God, our redeemer and rescuer. David believes God can and will rescue him. When believers pray, God hears and reacts (vv. 6–10). God does not sit passively by and ignore our call. He takes dramatic action against David’s enemies and rescues the one He loves: “he rescued me because he delighted in me” (v. 19).

APPLY THE WORD

When we are in distress, we often turn to our family or friends to share our grief or anxiety. David reminds us that we should first and foremost cry out to God. He is faithful! He provides light for each day, and He cares deeply for us. Praise God for His faithful provision. Even as the sun rises each day, God will be present for us.