David: a humble shepherd boy, the youngest son of eight, and perhaps not the biggest “hollywood star” of his day. Yet God chose him for tasks no one else was able to accomplish. When the whole army of Israel fled from the presence of Goliath of Gath, this young teenager stepped up to the plate and delivered his nation in the power of God. Anointed king at a young age, and with all odds against him, David ran for his life for years before God gave him the throne. It was in a life filled with obstacles that should not have been overcome, that David became a man after God’s own heart. He saw God in a way few others had seen Him. He saw a Mighty Deliverer, a Refuge, a Fortress, a Friend. He met the Almighty in the dark hours of the night, and walked into battle with the Lord of Hosts on his right hand.
It was in a spirit of humbled awe, that David penned these words:
“He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for there were many with me.” (Psalm 55:18)
I am reminded on this morning that I write this…that same Lord is the Jehovah-Jirah…the all-sufficient provider for you and for me. These words, so carefully written, do not describe a man delivered from difficult circumstances into pleasant surroundings. Rather, I think David was trying to show the power of God over the mind, will, and emotions of one fully yielded, even in the midst of the difficulty. He stood physically in the same room, with the same enemies waiting to devour him. The same obstacles that were there before he penned the words remained where they had been from the start. Yet, David says, “He delivered my soul in peace.”
The battles we face as believers every day will remain. Hard places, and painful circumstances will always be a reality. We are told that all throughout Scripture. Yet our souls can dwell in the safety of the knowledge of our faithful God. He is the Quickening Spirit of the Believer. Though a thousand stand against us, our cry will come to His ear, and He will still our souls. David spent years fleeing from Saul, and in the midst of those dark nights, He wrote, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep. For thou Lord only makest me to dwell in safety.” Circumstances? They were the same. His life was in danger. Yet his soul rested in the assurance of the one who made him dwell safely. The Lord quieted him from fear of evil.
Hold fast to the promise dear believer. Your God will come, and will deliver your soul in peace, if you will only yield it up to Him. He has not ordained your difficulty to stress you out…but rather to cause you to thrust yourself into His ready arms, and be borne up by a strength that is known by none other than the surrendered heart.
Be all at rest!
T&H
