Read
17You reached down from heaven,
and you lifted me
from deep in the ocean.
18You rescued me from enemies
who were hateful
and too powerful for me.
19On the day disaster struck,
they came and attacked,
but you defended me.
20When I was fenced in,
you freed and rescued me
because you love me.
21You are good to me, Lord,
because I do right,
and you reward me
because I am innocent.
22I do what you want
and never turn to do evil.
23I keep your laws in mind
and never turn away
from your teachings.
24I obey you completely
and guard against sin.
25You have been good to me
because I do right;
you have rewarded me
for being innocent
by your standards.
26You are always loyal
to your loyal people,
and you are faithful
to the faithful.
27With all who are sincere
you are sincere,
but you treat the unfaithful
as their deeds deserve.
28You rescue the humble,
but you look for ways
to put down the proud.
29Our Lord and God,
you are my lamp.
You turn darkness to light.
30You help me defeat armies
and capture cities.
Reflect
Years ago Christians used to have things called promise boxes in their homes. They were small containers that held little cards in them on which were written promises from the word of God. Sometimes on the back of the promise card would be a saying or some writing or quote that applied to the promise. Here is what they missed. All of the promises of the Bible are true but God looks for a response from us. We only receive, “if.” The “if” is not a question of God’s ability nor an elevation of ours. Rather it is often a question of faith and trust and belief. The wonderful truth is that God will if we will. That is what is happening with David in this case.
In our text today God reaches down to David and lifts him up, rescues him, defends him, frees him, is good to him, rewards him, is loyal and faithful to him, and he turns David’s darkness to light. Wow, what a God! He always does his part in our relationship with him. If you are wondering, “What was David’s part?” David declares that he does right, he is innocent, he does what God wants, he keeps the laws of God and follows his teachings. He lives a life of obedience and guards his life against sin. He is really talking about a surrendered life here. That does not always mean God will act exactly how we want and when we want. He does not serve us as either a magician or a lackey. It does mean that we put ourselves in the path of grace where his presence and promises come to us in his way.
We should also remember that we cannot expect God’s goodness to surround us if we choose to be unfaithful and do evil.
Respond
Dear God,
Help me to recognize when you are with me and helping me. Help me to be in that place always where I am open and available to grace. Help me to live a life of surrender so your lordship rules in me. Help me to believe that you do and will turn my darkness into light. I need you, Lord. I need you to help me stay with you and on the side of godliness. I am so grateful that I know you!
William Morrow
William Morrow currently serves as an associate pastor at Evangel Church in downtown Montreal. Before that he was president of Master's College & Seminary in Peterborough Ontario. He also served as General Superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (12 years), Superintendent of the Western Ontario District (6 years) and pastored in Montreal, Smiths Falls and Sarnia. He spent five years teaching at the college where he now serves as President. He is a husband, father and grandfather and has given his ministry life to mentoring a new generation of leaders and pastors.