JOYOUS PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S DEVOTION
But I will sing of Your strength and proclaimH7442 Your loving devotion in the morning. For
You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16 (See 1 Samuel 19:1-24)
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joyH7442 about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
Psalm 59:16 (NLT)
David’s enemies were outside his door, ready to pounce like a pack of wild wolves. But David says (Susan paraphrase), “in the face of death, I will sing exuberantly in celebration of God’s gracious, extravagant love.” Similarly in Psalm 23, David writes that the Lord sets up a banquet table for him to dine leisurely in the middle of his enemies! God has been his place of safety while Saul plotted to have him murdered and sent his soldiers to execute his plan. Even though surrounded, David did not doubt God’s power to deliver him.
My grandparents Bobby Joe and Helen Young—BJ and Nana— loved to travel. On one journey, they had an unplanned adventure. During the Cold War, they traveled to Germany and to Budapest, Hungary. BJ wanted to see the city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) because of its historic significance during WWII, when the city was under siege for 872 days (nearly two and a half years). Because they had not been issued the proper visas to land in Russia, they were surrounded by soldiers upon entering the airport. The soldiers huddled up to decide what to do with these two Americans. They seemed adamant that a way must be found to get BJ and Nana out of Russia. At first, my grandparents were told they would put them on a ship to get them across the Baltic Sea and out of Russia. Those in charge found a soldier who spoke good English to guard my grandparents. Imagine—locked behind the Iron Curtain and uncertain of the outcome the next day would hold. It was getting dark, and my grandparents had not had anything to eat. The soldier kindly led them up some stairs to the kitchen, right past a room with three red telephones, their command hotline, in case of urgent official orders. My grandparents ate old, stale, “hundred-year-old” cookies. To Nana’s amazement, BJ witnessed to this English-speaking guard who wanted to know all about the Savior he had only heard a little about. Nana was praying as BJ shared, and Scripture seemed to roll off the tip of his tongue thanks to the Holy Spirit. The guard wept as he realized the reality that salvation could be his. His countenance was transformed as the Holy Spirit entered into his life. Nana was excited and surprised at BJ witnessing so effectively. By God’s grace and providence, the guard was amazed that BJ cared enough about him to share the truth about Jesus with him. The guard confided that he would never be able to make enough money to buy a car or even the gift he wished to give his bride-to-be. They all slept on hard benches that night until a flight the next day. Nana gave the guard, her newest brother in Christ, money to be able to buy a beautiful scarf as a wedding present for his fiancé.
No matter what enemies, evils, or fears surround us, God is faithful and just to deliver those who lean in on His grace. Do you have a fear, something that is overwhelming you? Lay it upon His broad shoulders. He is the only one who can carry the burden and pulverize its power over you. Then your life’s joyful song of praise can resume.
Father, no matter what problems our enemy, Satan, surrounds us with, we will continue to joyfully, exuberantly sing Your praises by faith that You will conquer him and deliver us.
Worship with Janet Paschall, The Gaithers, and friends singing “He’ll Deliver Me”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mab7a-D88s