The Lord Is

I love you, O Lord, my strength. 
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, 
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, 
and I am saved from my enemies.  (Psalm 18:1-3)

My strength. My rock. My fortress. My deliverer. My shield. My salvation. My stronghold. And, that's why I call upon the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies!

All too often we fail to pause and consider the power in these words penned so long ago by David the Psalmist. It's easy to superficially skim over verses like these because they're familiar to us, or we have memorized them, or we have heard them referenced in numerous sermons. But there is very indisputable truth in this Psalm that will help us, much like it helped the Psalmist to put this chorus to music in his offering of worship. He addressed these words to the Lord on the day when he was delivered from the hand of Saul, his fiercest enemy.

If you are familiar with Saul's undeserved and relentless assaults against David, you will recognize that the words of this song of praise were offered for God's supernatural protection and deliverance.

Detailed praise for the Father's loving care and protection should also be part of our worship. The same power that led David victoriously through relentless assaults is at work on our behalf.

Praise Him as your strength, your rock, fortress, and deliverer. Praise Him for providing refuge from the storms of life. Praise Him for shielding you, for granting such priceless salvation, and for being your stronghold against the enemy's attacks.

Praise Him for He alone is worthy; He alone can save us from our enemies.

"With words of loving conviction, give Him praise!
This God—his way is perfect; 
the word of the Lord proves true; 
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." 
(Psalm 18:30 ESV)