A Path Through the Psalms (Chapter 18 part two) - More of the Deliverance of David

 

There's a path, let's follow it Well here we are half-way through this fabulous chapter 18! Last week we went part way, today we'll take another chunk of this great passage, it really is a deep well to draw from.  Along the way today we've got some great music, along with a story from my past which you'll not want to miss. We'll hear from our guest, Nancy Bentliff who is a former teacher at the Kings School in Basingstoke and is presently one of many parents around the country who are teaching their children from home. I think you'll draw much from her insight and take on the second portion of this chapter,   so let's get on the path

Psalm 18 (part 2)   For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:   30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless;     he shields all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.  33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 36 You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.  39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,  and I destroyed my foes.  41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—     to the Lord, but he did not answer. 42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them[f] like mud in the streets.  43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;     you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me, 44 foreigners cower before me; as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.   45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds.

Our chapter this week is not a lament song. Many of the first psalms that are recorded are laments, where David finds himself in a place of fear, worry, sadness and then eventually a place of praise. The lament is a journey, one that we all encounter, likely many times a day depending on our surroundings and circumstances.  Chapter 18 does not fit this bill. David is expressing that victory is won. His enemies have been scattered, the Lord has sustained him, watched over him and been the ultimate deliverer. The rollercoaster of emotion from despair to elation has not been ridden in this song. Expressing victory, that's what we read here!  Does this mean that we'll always see victory? Ultimately yes, through the power of Jesus, his sacrfice and resurrection assure the believer of victory, an eternal victory. We don't always see victory in our daily lives, or at least what we think is victory. There are so many hurdles that we face and through God's power attempt to jump over. Struggles, addictions, temptations that we give into. It can feel as though we are losing, but we must remember the big picture and the end game, victory is mine says the Lord. While the battle may at times be lost, we know who wins the war.

I'm not usually into covers, especially ones where the lyrics are adapted, but... I chose this to start us off today as we think about how perfect the love of God is in our lives, here's Perfect by Ed Sheeran as redone by Phillipa Hanna.

Vs 30 As for God his way is perfect. I'm not a perfectionist, in fact I struggle to see how a perfectionist thinks and acts sometimes. (If you are, I still love you, just may not always understand you:) I have to admit that I can settle for less than best. You're likely to find grammatical errors in today's path, I'm probably not going to catch every little detail. I just painted Katrina and Rose's bedroom, I think it looks nice, I did however see a couple of spots that weren't perfect. I've even been known to watch most of a film and then walk away to do something else right before the climax or cliffhanger finish. I'm grateful for perfectionists though. It's important to have perfection when it's a matter of safety and security. The doctor performing the surgery better be perfect that day, the mechanic fixing the airplane engine better get it right. A good friend of mine used to be an inspector of houses looking at every minute detail before they were deemed finished. He did scrutinous (word?) job of snagging each house, every blemish, mar, and scratch was noted and reported. The God that we serve, the God that David relied upon for everything is perfect. Perfect in all of his ways, his words are flawless, his love is never-ending and without blemish.

The psalmist here says that God makes him like a deer or hind, to stand, and be safe on high places. Does it look safe to you, do those animals have a sure footing? They sure do, they've got this. I don't want to be like that deer or goat above, I like the comfort and security of the ground. I also know that God cares for and watches out for me, much like the animal that is literally walking on the side of a cliff. Look at the second half of that verse 'he causes me to stand on the heights'. So while it may be scary and daunting action God at times takes us to that place of dependence on him. It reminds me of the faith required by Peter to walk on water. When his eyes were fixed on Jesus he walked, when they weren't he began to sink. This verse reminds us that while we may be on a high place that seems unsafe, God will make you tread like the deer above. That's a high level of security.

Let's hear what Nancy has to say about this passage of scripture.

'My Dad is stronger than your Dad'   You can probably visualise a tussle on the playground as two kids get into it, eventually this comment often gets yelled by one or both of them. It doesn't matter at that point which kid is stronger, it matters which dad is, or who can shout the loudest. Knowing that our God is stronger means we can go into battle with confidence. He not only is fighting the battle with us he is also providing for us within the battle. While we may not be literally fighting our enemies with our hands and feet, we are physical beings. The battle we face is real and takes the toll on our bodies and minds. Vs. 31,34 and 39 all speak about how God has armed the writer with strength, to the point of bending a bow of bronze. Being able to stand up to an enemy in battle is vital, having the strength to do so is of utmost importance. When you look at a battle of opposing forces the first question asked is usually 'who is stronger?' When God is on your side, or better yet you're on His side we know who is stronger. He arms me with strength, He arms you with strength. Why not pray this simple yet powerful prayer.    Lord, the battles I face today are real, would you arm me with the strength I need.

As I was writing the part on stronger I remembered this worship song by Hillsongs from a few years back. Turn it up and remember that He is stronger!

When I reread this chapter I saw all the potential dangerous situations that David writes about. Whether they be battle, or scaling a mountain, or the pursuit of enemies. The one that stood out though was from verse 36 where it says that God provides a broad path.                                                                            I'm not a mountaineer. What you see above is the gorgeous Copper Canyon in Mexico and those little dots are the village of Maugarichi. Many years ago Rebecca and I were able to lead three different groups of teenagers to Mexico on ministry trips, this little village was one of our destinations. It was about a six hour drive from Chihuahua city, three of those hours on a small mountain road. We had never gone beyond Maugarichi though, but an invite came to visit Las Lajas. Myself, Rebecca, James, Myrna and Brother Gabriel got into the van and drove off. We expected to be back to be with our group after a short visit. It turned into a longer drive than expected. Actually the 'road' once we left Maugarichi quickly turned more path like while overlooking the canyon floor to the left and the cliff to the right. Once we made it through that part it was more foresty (word?) including driving over branches here and there. Eventually, what felt like hours later we made it to Las Lajas. The mayor who we were going to meet wasn't home. We enjoyed a drink in a small house with his wife, and then decided we probably needed to leave. After getting heroically pushed up a mud hill by a group of men (a story for another day) we then had to drive all the way back. That meant back by the airstrip (the way people usually go there) the forest and eventually the canyon road. It was getting darker, sort of raining and I'd say we were nervous; actually freaked out. Brother Gabriel had decided it was wise if he were to walk in front of the van just to verify that the road would be safe enough to be driven upon. We didn't have other options, the cliff to our left and the thousands feet drop to the canyon below. It was in fact strong enough for us even though muddy, and it was also broad enough. When we got back to Maugarichi we had a story to tell, crazy memories made and we gave thanks to be with our group again.  Our God provides, in this case just enough of a broad path.

The words of our closing song could so easily have been penned by David. After all of the ordeals with the enemy, he remembers that it's the Lord who is always, always, always there. Feast on the beauty of this song and imagery, here's Into the Sea by Tasha Layton.

For our prayer today let's recall some of God has done as seen in this passage of scripture. Use this as example of using the song above to frame a prayer.  Lord, thank you that you are my defender, you are the one who sets my feet secure on high places in a place of safety. You are the one who silences my enemies, please quiet the enemy within that causes me trouble. You are the one who saves, sustains, trains and arms me for battle. Help me Lord in the battles I and my family face. Amen.

Next week it's chapter 19 of Psalms. Will be breaking down this passage and hearing from Pete Hay who is part of Hope Community Church in Basingstoke.