Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 22 (Psalm 18)
Someone once said, “There are two main things we need to learn . . . how to live and how to die.” Having conquered the fear of death, in Christ, sometimes it is life which defeats us . . . namely the multiplied sorrows, sicknesses, emotional turmoil, losses, anxieties we all experience.
David knew the strains of life intimately. In his song in 2 Samuel 22:5,6 he describes his trouble in the following way . . . “waves of death ... torrents of destruction … cords of Sheol … snares of death." David’s experience was filled with heartache. But this song, which is virtually repeated verbatim in Psalm 18, is not a song of despair. It is a hymn of joy and strength.
There are many images presented in this song of strength, but two of them are particularly comforting. It is the idea that the Lord is our ‘rock’ and our ‘lamp’.
When David calls God his ‘rock’ (2 Sam 22:2,3,32,47), it is a term implying refuge. For many years, David hid in the caves as he ran from his enemies. To hide in the rocks of Palestine meant safety. David understood, as we must, that God, alone, is security. He is our rock.
A second image in this wonderful song (and there are more images) is the idea that God is our ‘lamp’ (2 Sam 22:29). The reality of this figure of speech is that God is our guide, showing us the way to live. He enlightens the darkness of doubt and confusion and spiritual ignorance.
May the Lord deeply teach us that Christ, alone, is our security that we might know safety in our souls. And may we learn that Christ, alone, is our light, that we may have understanding as we live our days.
