READ: Psalm 18 (Focus vs. 1-2 & 16-19)
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” Psalm 18:2
BACKGROUND
Perched high on the climbing wall, Sarah could feel panic rising as her weakening fingers began losing grip on the handholds. Just how hard will I hit the ground? she wondered. But the instructor kept calling out assurances from below.
As the “belayer” tethered to the other end of the rope tied to Sarah’s harness through a pulley, his weight would hold her if she fell. “I’m much heavier than you!” he yelled. “Just let go.” So she did—and simply swung away from the wall to dangle safely in the air.
The incident gave Sarah a new perspective of the picture of God in Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock . . . my stronghold.” Sarah observed, “God is so much heavier than all my problems. I can let go of my worries and fears, and He’ll catch me.”
King David sang the words of Psalm 18 after God rescued him from “deep waters”—these were his “powerful [enemies]” looking to bring about his “day of . . . disaster” (vv. 16-18).
Even if his troubles didn’t disappear, he knew he could trust his all-powerful Savior and that God was holding on to him tightly.
Leslie Koh
INSIGHT
In the superscription to Psalm 18, we read that David wrote this psalm and sang it to God “when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” David was on the run from King Saul for more than a decade. Some estimate he was pursued for fifteen years.
After David returned from killing Goliath and the Philistine army was destroyed, the women came to greet him and sang this song: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7).
This so aroused Saul’s anger and jealousy that “from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David” (v. 9). In Psalm 18, David’s love for and trust in God is immediately evident in his names for Him. He calls God his strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold (vv. 1-2).
This same God can be trusted to help us as we leave our fears and worries with Him.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
What does it mean, in practical terms, to “let go” of a worry and leave it with God? How can you learn to surrender your fears to Him?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God is so much heavier than all my problems. I can let go of my worries and fears, and He’ll catch me.”
PR’s TAKE
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
PRAYER
“Dear Father, thank You that I can let go of all my worries, fears, and anxieties, knowing that You’re in complete control of my life and will keep me from falling.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FEAR NOT” Spirit of Praise
When you pass through the waters I’ll be there
When you walk through the fire
You won’t be burned
Because you’re precious in my sight
You’re honored and loved in my sight
Fear not for I’m with you
Fear not just believe
Fear not for I’m with you
Fear not just believe
Fear not for I’m with you
Fear not just believe
When you pass through the waters I’ll be there
When you walk through the fire you won’t be burned
Because you’re precious in my sight
You’re honored and loved in my sight
Fear not for I’m with you
Fear not just believe…
