David recalls the wonderful deeds of God as he offers this song of thanksgiving. He gives a testimony of God’s goodness through prayerful worship, “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” In this Psalm, how does David describe God’s manifested righteousness in his life? Let’s explore a few thoughts.
The Lord’s Righteousness is our shield. God rules all of creation from heaven. David experienced a God who vindicated his cause in his defense of him against his enemies. “When my enemies turn back they stumble and perish before your presence………..You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.” Likewise, God has justified and delivered us from our greatest two enemies: sin and death. His life turned back the power of wickedness in the heavenly places causing them to stumble in his presence. His death blotted out our transgressions and bought to an end the power of sin that produced a fear of death within his image bearers (Heb 2:14-15). David speaks of God’s vindicating work in his own life……that his enemies, “…came to an end in everlasting ruin.” We can trust that a day will come when God will cast death in the lake of fire that the very memory of it will have perished (Rev 20:11-14). Christ is our shield, and when he returns his righteousness will go before him, “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom of God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (25) For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (26) The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:24-26).
The Lord is our Fortress. God’s manifested character and the glory of his might is likened to a fortified stronghold. The primary purpose of a fortress is to provide refuge and security. The key is this: only those who seek it and travel to such a place receive the full benefits of its protection. A fortress designed purpose is to preserve the life of those who cannot defend themselves against a powerful adversary that desires to destroy their lives. Only those who acknowledge their weakness and defenselessness against such an enemy will run to it. This is why David says of God, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (10) And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
God has provided the believer every means available to access him by the Spirit. In times of trouble there are always two doors before us. Will we trust in ourselves or God? We are to take courage daily in this truth: We are his chosen people who run to him because we know only he has power to save us, that he is mindful of us, he sees the entirety of our circumstances, and he hears our prayers, or as David declares, “…he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.” Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com