David cannot recall how many times he has been rescued by God. Can we recall the number of times God has rescued us?  Today we read of many times God met David as he was running to Him for help!  In fact, as we read through the Psalms we get a clear picture of who God created David to be and do.  From shepherd boy who fearlessly fought a giant with God’s power behind him, David grew to become a man who fought to become the king that God ordained him to be.  David led an adventurous life of running to God while running to battle for God and not quitting, only retreating and hiding from the enemy until it was safe to come out and fight the battle again.  God protects and provides.  God is the true Commander in Chief for David.  David is not afraid to run to the battle and fight on the front lines.  If God is in it and with Him, David is all in, too. 

In this passage David writes, “my life a rescued song”.  David gives thanksgiving and praise for the One and Only who was with him through it all.  Our lives are truly a rescued song of salvation.  Can I get an amen?  We are set free because Jesus came down from heaven as “God with us”, Immanuel, and went to the “frontlines” of the battle for our souls, paid the sin debt we owed, so that we who believe that He did can live forever with God in a beautiful, righteous relationship with God.  Wow!

WARNING LABEL:  Our salvation comes with a warning. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –Jesus      (John 16:33)

Side effects:  When we believe with our whole heart, mind and soul, follow Jesus, and begin to learn more about His teaching we are going to battle.  In fact, the more we learn about Jesus, the closer to the frontlines of battle we get.  Satan hates it when he loses a soul he thought he had, so he goes to work whispering words of doubt, fear, self-worthlessness, sadness with joyless days to live.  When God invites us to his work asking us to point the way to Jesus to others, we are getting even closer to the frontlines of the battle for our souls and the souls of others.  “But take heart”.  Expect it.  Know the enemy’s tricks and deceitful ways so you can recognize them and run from them quickly.  Instead, like David, in the thick of battle, run to God!  God is with us, God is FOR us!  Jesus has already won in victory over the evil one who is still skirmishing to win our soul.  Know yourself.  Know God.  Know the enemy.  Know the Message of Good News and tell it, shout it and live it!  God will help us!

May our lives be a song of rescue that is sung daily in praise to the Rescuer!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 71, The Message

^1-3 I run for dear life to God,
    I’ll never live to regret it.
Do what you do so well:
    get me out of this mess and up on my feet.
Put your ear to the ground and listen,
    give me space for salvation.
Be a guest room where I can retreat;
    you said your door was always open!
You’re my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.

^4-7 My God, free me from the grip of Wicked,
    from the clutch of Bad and Bully.
You keep me going when times are tough—
    my bedrock, God, since my childhood.
I’ve hung on you from the day of my birth,
    the day you took me from the cradle;
    I’ll never run out of praise.
Many gasp in alarm when they see me,
    but you take me in stride.

^8-11 Just as each day brims with your beauty,
    my mouth brims with praise.
But don’t turn me out to pasture when I’m old
    or put me on the shelf when I can’t pull my weight.
My enemies are talking behind my back,
    watching for their chance to knife me.
The gossip is: “God has abandoned him.
    Pounce on him now; no one will help him.”

^12-16 God, don’t just watch from the sidelines.
    Come on! Run to my side!
My accusers—make them lose face.
    Those out to get me—make them look
Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you,
    and daily add praise to praise.
I’ll write the book on your righteousness,
    talk up your salvation the livelong day,
    never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
    I post signs marking his right-of-way.

^17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth,
    God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I’m telling the world your wonders;
    I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.
God, don’t walk off and leave me
    until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
    news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
    ways, O God.
God, you’ve done it all!
    Who is quite like you?
You, who made me stare trouble in the face,
    Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
    I’ve been to the bottom;
Bring me up, streaming with honors;
    turn to me, be tender to me,
And I’ll take up the lute and thank you
    to the tune of your faithfulness, God.
I’ll make music for you on a harp,
    Holy One of Israel.

When I open up in song to you,
    I let out lungsful of praise,
    my rescued life a song.
All day long I’m chanting
    about you and your righteous ways,
While those who tried to do me in
    slink off looking ashamed.

TRUTH: “My rescued life a song” to God.

Proverb 22:17-21, The Message

Don’t Move Back the Boundary Lines

^17-21 Listen carefully to my wisdom;
    take to heart what I can teach you.
You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within;
    you’ll give it bold expression in your speech.
To make sure your foundation is trust in God,
    I’m laying it all out right now just for you.
I’m giving you thirty sterling principles—
    tested guidelines to live by.
Believe me—these are truths that work,
    and will keep you accountable
    to those who sent you.

WISDOM:  Take to heart what God teaches us and live it daily with His help.

Abba Father,

You are with us.  Your love never changes.  When we mess up, you are there to teach us and leave us with a message that will help someone else in their mess.  Full circle.  That’s who you are.  Thank you for your salvation. Thank you for times of hiding in you until we were strong enough to go back to the battle.  Thank you for protecting us and providing for all we need from day to day.  Your words are truly like sweet honey for our souls.  The enemy’s words maim and kill, sucking the life from us.  You give life, you are Life!  I will always be eternally grateful for your unchanging love, mercy and grace! Continue your transformation work in me. 

In Jesus Name, Amen