April 9, 2021 -- Psalm 18:1-3 -- The LORD our Rock and Fortress

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3 English Standard Version

What a beautiful declaration—I love you and I will continue to love You, O LORD, my strength! And then what follows is a series of descriptions, or titles for the LORD. We will spend a few days contemplating these. The LORD is my rock.—the word rock is that of a high cliff, a rocky crag where one stands over his enemies. It is the place where a watch tower—a fortress for defense—can be built so that no one can sneak up on you and surprise attack you. What a beautiful expression and glorious picture.

If the LORD is such, a high rock and a fortress, why are we so often at the mercy of our enemies? Why are we so often feeling low? Great question. Examine your life. Are you asserting the words of verse 1—preaching to your heart and soul of your great love for God? Have you decided to serve Him and Him alone? If not, there is your problem right there. You cannot serve God half-heartedly. The very thought of that is mockery.

Have you left this high rock and strong tower of refuge in order to flirt with the enemy? Have you been toying with sin and allowing your heart to be invaded by sin? That is on you, not on the LORD. When Cain was angry with his brother Abel, this is what the LORD said:

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7) ESV

Sin wants to master you. Sin is crouching at the door the strong tower, it has sent a scout to look for weaknesses in your armor and to catch you wandering away from the tower of the LORD’s strength. Do not toy with sin!

Therefore, begin your day with worship, singing to Jesus, the Rock of your salvation. The One Who has delivered us from sin, and brings us safely to the Father. End the day with prayers to the LORD. Confess your temptations and admit to the LORD the sins which are seeking to master you. He is your Rock, He is your strong tower, the salvation from your enemies—He will fill you with the strength of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit’s presence and the Bible sins and temptations are unmasked for the violent, stench-filled, pustules of danger that they truly are! In sharp contrast the Spirit makes the radiance, the beauty, the virtues, and the charismatic qualities of Christ irresistible. The Word of God, applied to your heart by the Spirit, will make this reality for you, so that you are insatiable for Christ and Him alone.

Blessed be Your Name—O God, My Rock! Great are You, Jesus—our Warrior-King, Who tramples down the enemy. Spirit of the Living God, keep us safe within the strong tower of Jesus’ deliverance so that we will not toy with sin or dance with the devil. Our souls call out to You, Triune God, You are worthy to be praised! In Christ we are saved from all our enemies! Amen.

https://youtu.be/gM7gt_cSxjw