My Strength

Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

I love you, O Lord, my Strength.

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

It is so easy to gloss over the depth and riches of those things that are said every day. This in the end is one of the reasons those coming from a more defined liturgy get so frustrated with worry that if the Lords prayer, Apostles Creed, and Lord’s Supper and said and practiced every Sunday they will become empty ritual. Devoid of the power and beauty they possess. Having come to faith and realizing they have been practicing and repeating some of the most powerful prayers, creeds, and acts known throughout Christian history without even a quiver of the heart. Instead of laying blame to the power of sin over our hearts and reveling in the graciousness of God to finally reveal the majesty of them, fault is found in repetition and habit, the most powerful force in the disciplined Christian walk.

The veil of darkness that dwells over those men and women who repeat and act mindlessly is not one of habit and repetition, since many come Christmas and Easter only and still do not see the depth and beauty of what is said and done, but one of sin. Yet to read the scripture without an eye to the miraculous is the same, is it not? Here the Christian holds the book, breathed out by God, written through men as they were carried along by him, to correct, inspire, and guide us as we look to and long for him who loved us so much that he came and died for us that we might dwell with him. Are we to not read the bible except when our heart is ready, or perhaps the real call is to prepare our hearts. Not to become derelict in our duty but diligent in our faithfulness.

All this is said because I have guiltily read over and sang the lines at the top of this page often and regularly. Not seeing the depth and not reflecting on the reality of what is said. “My Strength”, the only power I have to accomplish anything in this life comes from my creator as he gives it to me. How do I take for granted that which he has provided me? Why do I whine when I don’t have enough to accomplish what is set before me? The strength of the Living God is before me to accomplish all that is needed! My rock, fortress, deliverer, God, refuge, shield, salvation, and stronghold, pretty much everything I need to feel safe and secure. Why does timidity cling to us? Why do we frighten so easily? Is God’s hand shortened? The only answer I can come to is that we have read and sang these verses not allowing the truth in. Not letting the light to shine in the darkness of our hearts. We, like the Israelites and the disciples, have chosen to ignore what he has said. Take the time to prepare in prayer before you read. Don’t neglect the reading of God’s word, prepare for it.  

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO