“The secret”
“The secret”
Meditation – Thursday, October 13, 2022:
Psalm 18:1-19 (Forward, p. 76) CEV p. 563
Many people make something of a rather large mistake when interpreting the story of Samson in the Hebrew Scriptures. They suppose that the secret of his strength was his hair, but that is not exactly correct. The secret of his strength was actually God, or the Spirit of God, and the hair was simply an outward sign of Samson’s obedience and submission to God.
In chapter 14, verse 6 it explicitly says (in the Contemporary English Version), “But the Lord’s Spirit took control of Samson, and with his bare hands he tore the lion apart, as though it had been a young goat”. The Good New Bible says basically the same, “Suddenly the power of the Lord made Samson strong, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands, as if it were a young goat.”
And again in verse 19 we are told the same thing, and again in chapter 15 verse 14.
And after his hair is finally shorn due to Delilah’s betrayal, we are told ‘that he did not realize that the Lord had left him” (chapter 16 v. 20).
The reason I mention all this is that we can easily suppose that King David was a man of superior strength and ability, and humanly speaking this is undoubtedly so. But he is nevertheless very careful to give the credit to God. Even in verse one of today’s passage he admits this: “I love you, Lord God, and you make me strong”. And this is only the start. Notice, for instance, the titles he gives to God:
My mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, my place of shelter (verse 2);
And notice what he says about God’s actions on his behalf:
“I praise you, Lord! I prayed, and you rescued me from my enemies” (verse 3);
“I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer” (verse 6);
“You rescued me from enemies who were hateful and too powerful for me. On the day disaster struck, they came and attacked, but you defended me. When I was fenced in, you freed and rescued me because you love me” (verses 17-19).
Incredibly, he even couches God’s intervention in words that describe volcanic and atmospheric disturbances, earthquakes and storm clouds and such like, for such was God’s action on his behalf.
But, there are third things that we must not overlook in this description of God’s care and love for David. One is that David was utterly convinced that God loved him and cared for him (see v. 19). Second is that David, in turn, also loved God without reserve (see v. 1). And thirdly, and rather importantly, this meant that David could unabashedly trust God, and sincerely and confidently turn to Him in prayer. He does not expect God to suddenly and mysteriously intervene on his behalf. No, he specifically and repeated goes to God in prayer and calls out to Him (verses 3, 6).
And so, this psalm is a great and timely reminder and prod to each of us. Many of us, especially in the Western world, pride ourselves in our ability and self-reliance, and expect that these qualities will ‘see us through’. We forget that even these abilities, qualities, ultimately come from God. And far too frequently, even when we are faced with grave difficulties and challenges, we choose to muddle our way ‘on our own steam’, on our own ability and resources and wisdom, rather than turn to God for help. And so, David’s example is very timely. It is God, and none other, that was the secret of his strength, and so we should do as He did, turning to God and trusting Him. Amen.
Forward notes: “I love you, O Lord my strength” (verse 1).
“This is a mighty psalm of distress, dangers, threats, tribulations, and ultimate salvation. David addresses this psalm to the Lord after being delivered from the hands of his enemies, especially King Saul. In the second verse, the psalmist sings, ‘My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge.’ My mother often said that the Lord was a rock for her, a sure and steady hope for her (and our) troubles.
“We all look for a port in a storm. When we’re tossed to and fro by demands at work and home, by world events, injustices, and personal pain, we look for quieter waters. We feel adrift and seek a safe place to anchor. David was thankful to have survived his strong enemies, and in this glorious psalm, he praises God for being his stronghold and haven. We all face dangers and snares in our lives, but David’s words remind us that God will provide people and places to welcome us and provide safe spaces. And we should go forth and share that good news with others.”
MOVING FORWARD: “Read all of Psalm 18. How does it speak to you today?”