Leading The Way - Week of September 16

September 16, 2024

Praising the Rock of My Salvation

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Read 2 Samuel 22:1-51.

David felt the same emotions you may be feeling today—loneliness, despair, and fear. But even though he struggled from time to time to trust God (see 1 Samuel 27:1), deep down David longed to please the Lord. He had a heart after God’s heart. And the God who sees into the depths of your heart and mind is the one who will honor you for that desire—a desire clearly displayed in David’s sacred song in 2 Samuel 22.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, . . .” (2 Samuel 22:2-3). Over the years, David discovered that no matter the situation, the Lord never stopped watching over him, never refused to restore him. The same can be said for you. During the difficult times of life, the Lord’s wings are sheltering you (see Psalm 91:4). If you know the Lord Jesus Christ, His Spirit is within you to empower you and to strengthen you.

Did you notice how David referred to God as “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer”? He knew the Lord personally. David knew the Lord’s heart, and the Lord knew his. Friend, you are not merely a number to God. He knows the very hairs on your head (see Matthew 10:30), and He has designed you for an intimate, personal relationship with Him.

As your rock, God will steady you in the midst of life’s earthquakes. He will anchor you when storms threaten to blow you away. As your fortress, God will give you shelter from your assailants. He will blunt the attacks of your enemies. He will hide you from those who seek to do you harm. As your deliverer, God will save you from yourself. He redeems you from the raging power of sin. He saves you from the roaring lion. And He will save you from the second death.

David prophesied about the coming of Jesus (see Psalms 22 and 110), and today we have Him. Jesus is the provider of everything we need—and what we need most is Him (see Luke 10:41-42). He is the Savior who secured our salvation—a gift of immeasurable grace—and that is why with David we can lift our voices and proclaim, “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:4).

Prayer: Father, You are my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. I will run to You and find shelter from the storms of life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:4).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series A Heart for God: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW

Today’s devotional is adapted from Dr. Michael Youssef’s NEW book A Heart for God. Visit LTW.org to request your copy for your gift of any amount by October 19, 2024! (Offer valid in US, UK, and Canada.)

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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.