Day 141 – 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57

Talking Points

• With the end of the ordeal concerning Absalom, David praises God. The Bible says he sang the song of chapter 22 “to the LORD” (22:1). It was not a performance. His audience was God, alone. Is there a difference between our private worship and public?
• Sometimes, when we have our victory, we become self-congratulating, proud we have prevailed. In David’s song, he praises God. His song declares: God delivers, brings forth, rescues, rewards, illumines. He is our fortress, shield, and strong tower. It is God who saves, and so it is God who is to be praised. “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies” (22:4). “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation” (22:47).
• Again, David’s mighty men are listed. God worked. God prevailed. Yet, these brave, loyal men were instruments of His salvation.

Thoughts

Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern repeated:
– People need a deliverer; they need help. Either their own sin or someone else’s gets them into a situation they can’t withstand. They are burdened, hurting, lost.
– People cry out to God. They get to a point where they realize they need rescuing, and they recognize that God is that Rescuer. Desperate people ask God to be gracious to them.
– God hears their cry. He hears us when we call upon Him with a humble, trusting heart. The God who created the Universe hears us.
– God rescues people. He tells us that He delights in those who take refuge in Him, and so He delivers them. In His mighty power, in His infinite wisdom, in His righteous judgment, and in His great mercy and love, God saves people!
– People praise God. Those who have been saved by the one true God can always find reasons to praise Him. They know, firsthand, that He is “worthy to be praised” (2 Samuel 22:4).

It’s the story of the Hebrew people. It’s the story of David’s life. It’s my story.

“Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.”
Psalm 57:11