How do you respond when you face difficulties, dangers, or disease? What would you do if you were “canceled” or faced persecution because of your faith in Jesus?
We can relate to King David, who underwent many hardships and enemies. Yet he chose to praise God, trusting the Lord to deliver him again and again. He wrote,
I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:1-2).
What word stands out to you in this passage? It might be strength. God is our source of power. Or it may be rock. He is the firm foundation we can trust. Or fortress, a strong tower of protection. Or deliverer, a picture of Jesus as our Messiah. Or shield, a protective weapon to ward off the enemy’s attacks. Or horn of salvation, a symbol of power and victory. Or stronghold, another place of protection.
All those words are good and helpful as we count the costs of following Jesus. But one word in this passage is hiding in plain sight, and it may be the preeminent word in this passage.
It is the word my.
My strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my salvation, my stronghold. This is personal for David . . . and it’s personal for each of us as well. Jesus is the true rock—my rock—who became the chief cornerstone of the church. He is my deliverer and my salvation. He delivered us and saved us at the cross.
Don’t forget that what Jesus did at the cross was and is very personal for each of us. He is my deliverer. He is my savior. He gave up his body, represented by the bread, on the cross for me and you. He shed his blood, represented by this cup, to deliver us from death and give us eternal life.
Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me. Thank you for sacrificing your body and blood so that I can be in relationship—in communion—with my Father.
Michael C. Mack serves as editor of Christian Standard.
0 Comments