Day 10 - The Lord is my Rock

This morning, I read 2 Samuel 22, King David's song of Praise. David sang these words to the Lord, beginning in verse 1: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior....I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise"...and in verse 7: "In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my god. From his temple he heard my voice, my cry came to his ears."

My rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my refuge, my shield, my stronghold, my savior...what amazing attributes! My on-line dictionary says that a "fortress" is impenetrable, or acts as protection. A fortress contains a strong army of soldiers who will protect the people living within. This tells me that the Lord is a safe haven for me...where He will protect me without even the slightest chance of being infiltrated by enemies.

This one's super interesting, "deliverer." A deliverer is someone who takes something that has been bought to another address or location. Perhaps Jesus, who paid for my sins (bought me) is taking me to my new address, His home, his citadel, his fortress? That's pretty interesting to ponder...

A "shelter" is a place that is safe from something unsafe, threatening, or harmful. Because I am the Lord's, I am allowed entrance into His shelter...and I don't need a V.I.P card and I don't need to be popular or famous, either. I can be plain, ol' me and gain access to this vital safe place.

We are all familiar with a "shield," but let's break this word down, too. A shield is a piece of armor that is used as protection against weapon blows, arrows, bullets, and other projectiles. So when Satan tries to throw his fiery darts, the Lord is our shield that will protect us from injury and harm.

A "savior" is someone who rescues someone else from danger, a liberator, and even is likened to a knight in shining armor! Praise God, we ALL have our own personal Knight in Shining Armor who will rescue us and ride us off to safety to our new haven and safe place...a fortress!

The last part of the scripture above says that God hears my voice. Sometimes, we can feel that our prayers or our cries fall on deaf ears...but God's word says that is NOT the case. Whatever struggle we face, whatever illness befalls our family members, whatever business venture goes sour, whatever cry we cry out IS heard. Matthew 7:9 says this: "What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?" NEVER say that it is not God's will to give you what you ask. Don't give up asking if the answer doesn't come as soon as you'd like...diligently seek God's will for your life, and He will bless you for it.

My cry is this: "Lord, I am tired. I work full-time and raise three daughters by myself and my husband is gone more than he is home. Please, rescue us from this dreadful cycle we've put ourselves into...And in the meantime, I will thank you that I have this job that helps put food on the table and helps keep a roof over our heads. Guide us and lead us...but mostly, forgive us. Amen."