Oct 3 Daily Rhythms
Morning
Psalm 18:1-3
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.
Shhhhh. Stop this morning and reflect on that. Ask, where do you try to find other deliverers? Praise God. He is enough, and more than you can ever find elsewhere.
Afternoon
Psalm 18:4-6
The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalm 18 is a rich Psalm, sung by David on the occasion of victory and finding God to Be faithful. When has God proven himself faithful to you? Write down a time, an event, a season in life, or even just an occurrence of God’s faithfulness. Look at it from time to time today. To remind yourself that God is faithful.
Evening
Psalm 18:7-12
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.
The God of Ages is a Mighty and terrible God. When I read these verses I think of Smaug, the dragon in the Hobbit. David is clearly using poetry and imagery in these verses, but the image of God is the image of a terrible and mighty dragon with the ability to burn humanity to ash at a thought. Rest tonight, trusting that the God who commands such awe has chosen to love and cherish his people.