Verse of the Day 2/4

Verse of the Day 2/4

Psalm 18:1-2. New King James Version

18 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

The first passage that I read in my devotions this morning was from Philippians 1 where the Apostle Paul writes:

Philippians 1:12-13. New Living Translation

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.

Paul wrote these words from prison and yet he was able to accept it as God's will and as an opportunity to share the gospel. The thoughts are sobering when you consider that we are all called to serve the Lord and witness, testify of His love come what may.  It has been the pattern in the lives of just about every character in the Bible.  For a short summary you can go to Hebrews 11 and the great "Hall of Faith" registered there.

Today's passage from Psalm 18 is from when David was being pursued by King Saul. The heading for the passage in the New King James Version is "God the Sovereign Savior".  That is the key to understanding the two passages today and it is the key in living the Christian life.  It is following God no matter what.  When trials come we call on Him as our Rock.  When they have passed we acknowledge His presence and deliverance from the trials and challenge and we are prepared with the same attitude for what lies ahead, He is "my strength in whom I will trust".

Read the passage from Psalm 18 and if you have the time, turn to Philippians 1:12-18 where Paul shares his joy that come what may, Christ is preached.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Psalm 18

New King James Version

God the Sovereign Savior

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

18 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

4 The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.