May 12, 2023 - Psalms 18-22

Here are a number of psalms in which David, in the face of his enemies, cries out to the Lord for help. He tells us, “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears” (18:6). He assures, “This God-- his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” (18:30-31). And he testifies, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (20:7).

Increasingly, we as Christians are surrounded by those who hate God and reject his Word and, thus, despise us. Jesus himself warned us, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). Yes, but trust in the name of the Lord our God!

All my hope on God is founded;

he doth still my trust renew.

Me through change and chance he guideth,

only good and only true.

God unknown,

he alone

calls my heart to be his own.

Still from earth to God eternal

sacrifice of praise be done,

high above all praises praising

for the gift of Christ his Son.

Christ doth call

one and all:

ye who follow shall not fall. --Joachim Neander (17th century)