Saul replied, “You can’t go fight Goliath. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young. ” David answered Saul: “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:34-37 selected
My words…
Praise
It would have been so easy for young David to take credit for slaying a lion and a bear, to drape his body with their skins or tack them to posts outside his tent. Wouldn’t everyone have been impressed? But David knew it was only by Your power that his lambs were not torn to shreds. You rescued the lambs. You rescued David. You still rescue. It doesn’t matter if my precarious state is a result of my action or the actions of others: You will rescue me according to Your will for my good because You are the God Who Rescues.
Prayer for me
Although I’ve never experienced life-or-death situations like David (Lions and bears live in zoos, right?), I have stumbled into danger unaware and strode into danger for the thrill. The Enemy had me dangling from a string at times, and I never knew. But You rescued me, nonetheless. Forgive me when I claimed my escape to be an act of luck (whew!) or worse, my own clever actions. Looking back, I see Your hand of protection so clearly.
Prayer for others
Lord, I know of so many close to me in need of rescue. Their loved ones are languishing in hospitals or nursing homes. Parents despair because their children are caught in the snare of addiction and abuse. The Enemy has snatched hope from their eyes and has filled their ears with messages like, “It is what it is.” Throw out the lifeline, Lord! Show them the way to the safe shore where You wait to welcome them.
Thank You
I read accounts of people who have been trapped in mines, or stranded in blizzards, or adrift at sea. They struggle to maintain a sliver of hope. At the sight of their rescuer, they crumble in tears of gratitude. I have not experienced these physical rescues, but my spirit has. Without a sliver of hope, I was rescued through Your broken body on a bloody cross. You know my heart. You see it flowing over with gratitude.
More praise
I lift You up as the God who does not hold my sins against me. You do not say, “You got yourself into this mess. Get yourself out.” The Father of Lies is a prowling lion, but You are eager to rescue us from his paws. And for that, I give you all glory.
