Help When It’s Hard
Opening Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the promise that neither life nor death can ever separate me from Your love (Rom. 8:39).
Read Psalm 18:1-29
[1] For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, O LORD, my strength. [2] The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. [3] I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. [4] The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. [5] The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. [6] In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. [7] The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. [8] Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. [9] He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. [10] He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. [11] He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him- the dark rain clouds of the sky. [12] Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. [13] The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. [14] He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. [15] The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. [16] He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. [17] He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. [18] They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. [19] He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. [20] The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. [21] For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. [22] All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. [23] I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. [24] The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. [25] To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, [26] to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. [27] You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. [28] You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. [29] With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What was David’s dilemma and how did he face it?Hearing or reading someone else’s declaration of faith, their testimony, and their witness to God’s faithfulness during difficult times is an inspiring and faith-building exercise. Let’s be encouraged today by David’s witness of God’s faithfulness during the tough times!
This psalm appears to be a congregational adaptation of a more personal version composed by David (see 2 Sam. 22). Just as this psalm was adapted for use by a congregation, so you can personalize it for your own use. Go through the passage and pick out three statements which ring true and are relevant to your current situation. Write out three sentences: e.g. “I believe God is my fortress because …” Write them in your journal or somewhere where you will read them again.
You can look back on these as David looked back on God’s faithfulness before fighting Goliath. Remind yourself of God’s work in your life!
Apply
What difficult situation are you facing now? Write a prayer letter asking for God’s help and declaring truths about who he is.
Closing prayer
Lord God, You are indeed my fortress. Help me never to forget that and all that You mean to me.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.