The LORD’s Word Is
Flawless
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is
flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who
is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and
keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes
me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can
bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your
right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path
for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.
Psalm
18:30-36
I was
getting into my car when the glint caught my eye: a nail, embedded in my rear
tire’s sidewall. I listened for the telltale whistle of air. Thankfully, the
hole was plugged—at least for the moment.
As I drove
to a tire store, I wondered: How long has that nail been there? Days? Weeks? How
long have I been protected from a threat I didn’t even know existed?
We can
sometimes live under the illusion that we’re in control. But that nail reminded
me we’re not.
But when
life feels out of control and unstable, we have a God whose reliability we can
trust. In Psalm 18, David praises God for watching over him (vv. 34–35). David
confesses, “It is God who arms me with strength. . . . You provide a broad path
for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way” (vv. 32, 36). In this poem of
praise, David celebrates God’s sustaining presence (v. 35).
I personally
don’t march into combat like David; I even go out of my way not to take
unnecessary risks. Still, my life is often chaotic.
But I can
rest in the knowledge that, though God doesn’t promise us protection from all
of life’s difficulties, He always knows where I am. He knows where I’m going
and what I’ll encounter. And He’s the Lord of it all—even the “nails” of our
lives.
When
has God protected you from something that you didn’t even know about? How
did He watch over your way or help you stay clear of that threat?
Father, help us to remember daily that
You know every step we take. Help us to trust in Your provision for every
potential problem or sudden setback we face today.
Our Daily Bread – December 17, 2019