For God is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:2
David sang this song to the Lord when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, including Saul. This psalm is written after Saul’s death and just before David ascends the throne to become Israel’s king. From the moment God declared David would be the future king of Israel, he faced nothing but trouble and hardship. In fact, he spent twenty years on the run as a fugitive and lost everything. He spent his youth running, fighting, and hiding in caves. He lost all his comforts, his family, and his connection and relationships with his own people.
Even then he wasn’t overcome or exhausted, but supernaturally strengthened. David spoke of the great things he could do when empowered by God, and he marveled at God’s perfect plan and perfect way.
As Christians, we serve a God who is not surprised by what we face each day. God is sovereign, so he knows all about panic, pandemics, chaos, and confusion. And he is with us no matter what we face.
God has also left us His Word, so we can go to it any time we need reassurance of his presence. In Psalm 18:2 we find that reassurance. In this one short verse, God gives us eight promises we can proclaim—about who He is and how He helps in all our circumstances.
1. The Lord Is My Rock
In times of trouble, when we feel shaky with life’s circumstances, it’s good to know that God is our rock. Someone who is extremely strong and mighty. Someone we can hold onto when we feel the earth moving. There is no one we can trust who is more reliable than the Lord.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
2. The Lord Is My Fortress
When the word, “fortress,” refers to a person, it means that person is not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance.
The Lord is Almighty. He cannot be influenced, and nothing shakes the Lord. God is our mighty fortress. Nothing is more powerful than our God. Nothing can defeat him. The enemy tries to make us fearful by scaring us about what could happen, what might transpire. But God is aware of his tactics and we can trust in His power.
3. The Lord Is My Deliverer
To deliver means that you are removed from pain or from a situation. At times, it could mean you will be delivered from whatever is going on around you. When God delivered Daniel from the lion’s den He didn’t physically deliver him, but instead, God took the danger away by shutting the mouths of the lions.
Daniel 6:19-23 NIV At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin. And God has also delivered us from the power of sin.
John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
All because the Lord is our deliverer.
David sang this song to the Lord when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, including Saul. This psalm is written after Saul’s death and just before David ascends the throne to become Israel’s king. From the moment God declared David would be the future king of Israel, he faced nothing but trouble and hardship. In fact, he spent twenty years on the run as a fugitive and lost everything. He spent his youth running, fighting, and hiding in caves. He lost all his comforts, his family, and his connection and relationships with his own people.
Even then he wasn’t overcome or exhausted, but supernaturally strengthened. David spoke of the great things he could do when empowered by God, and he marveled at God’s perfect plan and perfect way.
As Christians, we serve a God who is not surprised by what we face each day. God is sovereign, so he knows all about panic, pandemics, chaos, and confusion. And he is with us no matter what we face.
God has also left us His Word, so we can go to it any time we need reassurance of his presence. In Psalm 18:2 we find that reassurance. In this one short verse, God gives us eight promises we can proclaim—about who He is and how He helps in all our circumstances.
1. The Lord Is My Rock
In times of trouble, when we feel shaky with life’s circumstances, it’s good to know that God is our rock. Someone who is extremely strong and mighty. Someone we can hold onto when we feel the earth moving. There is no one we can trust who is more reliable than the Lord.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
2. The Lord Is My Fortress
When the word, “fortress,” refers to a person, it means that person is not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance.
The Lord is Almighty. He cannot be influenced, and nothing shakes the Lord. God is our mighty fortress. Nothing is more powerful than our God. Nothing can defeat him. The enemy tries to make us fearful by scaring us about what could happen, what might transpire. But God is aware of his tactics and we can trust in His power.
3. The Lord Is My Deliverer
To deliver means that you are removed from pain or from a situation. At times, it could mean you will be delivered from whatever is going on around you. When God delivered Daniel from the lion’s den He didn’t physically deliver him, but instead, God took the danger away by shutting the mouths of the lions.
Daniel 6:19-23 NIV At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin. And God has also delivered us from the power of sin.
John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
All because the Lord is our deliverer.
4. God Is My God
All the attributes of God are wonderful, but what makes them so great is that God is my God. He’s someone I can call on at any time of the day or night. He has given me access to his throne room where I am invited to bring him my petitions, knowing that God will answer them according to his perfect will.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
God doesn’t think like us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God loved us so much that he sacrificed his precious Son and when we accept Jesus and what he did for us, our Creator becomes our Father. And God becomes my God.
I know that God cares about me and tells me to cast my cares on him.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I also know that whatever circumstances I experience in life, God will work together for good.
Romans 8:28-29 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
We know that God will never leave or forsake us. Everyone lse can and may leave or forsake us but God promises that He never will.
5. God Is My Refuge
A refuge is a shelter of protection from danger or distress. It is like finding a safe place during a storm. The fears we face about this pandemic cause even faithful Christians moments of unrest. And while we can focus on what is happening around us, it is much to our benefit if, like Peter, we keep our eyes on the Lord instead of focusing on the wind and waves crashing around us.
Matthew 14:29-32 NIV “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
David was often running from enemies and in danger, yet, he called out to God. The same one who helped him when he was a boy, facing a lion and a bear. And later, as he stood facing the huge Philistine, Goliath. David remembered the same God who had helped him before would give him what he needed now.
1 Samuel 17:37 NIV The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
All of us can probably remember when God delivered us from danger. The Holy Spirit is faithful in reminding us that God doesn’t change.
Psalms 102:25-27 NIV In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
All the attributes of God are wonderful, but what makes them so great is that God is my God. He’s someone I can call on at any time of the day or night. He has given me access to his throne room where I am invited to bring him my petitions, knowing that God will answer them according to his perfect will.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
God doesn’t think like us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God loved us so much that he sacrificed his precious Son and when we accept Jesus and what he did for us, our Creator becomes our Father. And God becomes my God.
I know that God cares about me and tells me to cast my cares on him.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I also know that whatever circumstances I experience in life, God will work together for good.
Romans 8:28-29 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
We know that God will never leave or forsake us. Everyone lse can and may leave or forsake us but God promises that He never will.
5. God Is My Refuge
A refuge is a shelter of protection from danger or distress. It is like finding a safe place during a storm. The fears we face about this pandemic cause even faithful Christians moments of unrest. And while we can focus on what is happening around us, it is much to our benefit if, like Peter, we keep our eyes on the Lord instead of focusing on the wind and waves crashing around us.
Matthew 14:29-32 NIV “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
David was often running from enemies and in danger, yet, he called out to God. The same one who helped him when he was a boy, facing a lion and a bear. And later, as he stood facing the huge Philistine, Goliath. David remembered the same God who had helped him before would give him what he needed now.
1 Samuel 17:37 NIV The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
All of us can probably remember when God delivered us from danger. The Holy Spirit is faithful in reminding us that God doesn’t change.
Psalms 102:25-27 NIV In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
6. God Is My Shield
God provides protection for us. Our adversary, Satan, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
God reminds us that if we have accepted the Lord, we are God’s children and that the Spirit of God who abides in us is greater than the enemy who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 NIV You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Remember when God told Abram that he was Abram’s shield and exceeding great reward
Genesis 15:1 NIV After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. ”
God cares for his own. He is a loving father.
7. God Is the Horn of My Salvation
The horn is representative of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is a promise of future protection for believers. The kind of horn meant is the deadly weapon of the wild ox.
Psalms 92:9-10 NIV For surely your enemies, Lord , surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.
The horn is a sign of strength and a means of victory. God is the horn of salvation because he uses his power to secure and protect his people. God isn’t the horn of our salvation merely to liberate us, but also to make us holy and righteous people who don’t live in fear because we trust God.
8. God Is My Stronghold
A stronghold is something that has been fortified so it is protected against attack. God has fortified us. He’s given us his Word, which guides us and gives us wisdom.
God has also told us in Scripture about how we are to put on the armor of God. With the full armor of God, we will be able to stand against the rulers, the authorities, and the powers of this dark world, as well as stand against the spiritual forces of evil. The full armor of God will protect us from the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Paul asked the Lord to remove an infirmity, God didn't remove what was hurting him, instead, God reminded Paul that His grace would be sufficient, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Paul then realized he would be wise to boast of his weaknesses as well as his hardships and calamities because God's strength became even more evident in his weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
In our lives, there are many times when things look impossible. And even then we are reminded that Jesus said impossible things are possible with God.
Matthew 19:26 NIV Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The God who came through for David is the same God who can and will come through for you. He is your Rock, where you can have firm footing, an immovable foundation on which to stand and fight.
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