SING A NEW SONG: RESCUED

We are definitely getting toward the end of summer. Our teachers and youth are preparing to return to school. The heat of the last few weeks has not been helpful.  It has been sweltering! There is nothing quite like the combination of high heat and humidity to make any task miserable! However, life is rarely without its complications, problems, and at times, just absolute misery! This is why we are trying to sing a new song in our hearts, our lives, and our worship. In the series Sing a New Song the sermon this week is titled Rescued.  We turn to Psalm 18:24-36. We do not know the particular event that inspired David to write these words, but it is obvious that God had done something great and powerful. Whatever it was, it prompted David to reflect on the numerous times that God had saved him, and more importantly, why God had saved him. Most everyone can point to a moment or moments where they had to make a choice, walk through a valley, or endure difficulty, and they found strength and hope to make it through. Many people think it is their good fortune, luck, or fate, but David realizes that it is only the grace and power of God that have helped him. His praise is undeniable, but we wonder if God would really help us. After all, we are not David. The beauty of this song is that David blesses every believer with the knowledge that God will rescue any of his children. This Psalm not only shares with us the power of our Rescuing God, but also how God will give us strength even amid transition and the difficulty of life. Our prayer is simple, that we may experience the strong and mighty hand of God lifting us to a place of heartfelt praise.   

Psalm 18:24-36 ²⁴ The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. ²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,²⁶ to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself  shrewd. ²⁷ You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. ²⁸ You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. ²⁹ With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.³¹ For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? ³² It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. ³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. ³⁴ He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.³⁵ You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. ³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. (NIV)