Read Psalms 18
Highlights:
Saved from our enemies (Ps. 18:3). How to praise God (chap. 18). The Commandments of God (19:8), the fear of the Lord (19:9), and the words of my mouth (19:14). Help from the Lord (20:7). We should all love the Lord as King David loves Him (chap. 21). Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm foretelling the suffering and death of Christ.
Prayer has always turned impending defeat into victory for the obedient servants of God. The armies of those who trust in chariots and horses and rely on vast resources seem invincible (Ps. 20:7). Although the people of God who pray and trust in His unseen presence may appear outnumbered, they always rise up triumphantly while their enemies are brought down. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright (20:8). Prayer will deliver, but pride will defeat.
King David habitually inquired of the Lord and could testify how God delivered him on every occassion — from a lion, Goliath, and Saul (see I Sam. 23:2,4; 30:8; II Sam. 2:1; 5:19,23; 21:1; I Chr. 14:10,14). How much more we ought to pray and trust God to answer our prayers because of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer/Intercessor!
On numerous occasions, the King of kings set the example of how important it is to give much time in fervent prayer. Before selecting His 12 disciples, He prayed all night (Luke 6:12). After one of His most pressing busy days and feeding the 5000, He went up into a mountain apart to pray (Matt. 14:23).
Next to the revelation of the love of God, there was not a more important or more often repeated subject on the lips of Christ than the importance of the Word of God. The constantly repeated reminder to read His Word proves that God knows our heart. He knows how doubt and distrust toward Him are natural to us in our fallen state. He knows too how easily we are inclined to repeat our prayers without expecting an answer.
Before Jehoshaphat entered into battle against the vast armies of the Moabites and Ammonites, he prayed, then he appointed singers to praise the Lord in advance for the answer. He obtained an easy victory (II Chr. 20:20-22). After the battle was won, Jehoshaphat led the way back to Jerusalem, rejoicing and praising the Lord as they went (20:26-28). We are sometimes so elated by the triumph that we forget the One who made it possible.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matt. 7:8).
Thought for Today:
Have you given the Word of God priority in your life today?
Christ Revealed:
As the One to whom the Psalms refer when they speak of the nails that pierced His hands and feet on the cross and the parting of His clothing (Ps. 22:16,18). When they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take (Mark 15:24; also Matt. 27:35; Luke 23:34; John 19:18).
Word Studies:
18:2 horn of my salvation my strong deliverer; 18:26 froward (first use) crooked; froward (second use) opposed; 18:45 close places fortresses or strongholds; 22:5 confounded put to shame; 22:7 shoot out the lip ridicule, hurl insults; 22:17 tell count.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Sen. Carl Levin (MI), Rep. Donna Edwards (MD), Rep. Jane Harman (CA), Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA), and Rep. Ed Pastor (AZ) • Country: Mauritania (2.6 million) in western Africa • Major language: Hasaniya Arabic • Islamic state with no mission work allowed • 99+% Muslim (predominantly Sunni); .2% Christian (predominantly foreigners) • Prayer Suggestion: Humbly kneel before the Lord in prayer and worship the Lord (II Chron. 6:13).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
Acts 4:12