FROM PROBEM TO PRAISE

I love You, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 18.1

Psalm 18.1-3 tells us of the salvation and deliverance we receive when we come to Him with specific needs and requests:  "I am saved from my enemies." V. 2 gives us several ways to "visualize our place and time with Him for this help.

Vv. 4-6 gives us an an example of calling to Him in serious difficulties, as Paul spoke of "I dispaired of life" in 2 Corinthians 1 and found strength in times of weaknesses when facing criticisms, oppositions, hardships, and difficulties (2 Cor. 12.9-10).  It is for wisdom, power, grace for growth in knowledge and understanding, encouragement, and comfort that we come boldly to the throne of grace for help in times of need, with courage, confidence and freedom.  (Hebrews 4.16; Ephesians 3.10)

Vv. 7-15 speak o the poswer that God releases in our behalf.  When we are seeking God's grace to empower us to  persevever and overcome the adversities of our lives, the4 world is really and truly changed by God's intervention in our behalf. We are changed, becoming wiser, stronger, and better.  We become a bigger and better person.  We have more light and salt.  We become a more powerful influence on others for restoration of the kingdom of God on earth.  We are difference and begin immediately begin making a difference on earth, in the lives of other people.  The creative and explosive power of God does great and mighty things within us and become greater and more mighty people, things  beyond what we can ask or think.

Vv. 16-19 describe deliverance.  Our God will reach down from on high, take hold of us and draw us out of deep waters and disasters (Psalm 40 calls this  "miry pits;" 23--"the valley..."). He rescues us from circumstances too overwhelming for us. 

HERE IS THE "FORMULA" (Psalm 32.8;Ephesians 1. 1-13; Ro. 12.1-2) FOR GRACE IN THESE THIMES OF NEEDS:
When we face these kind of "impossible" situations, we  need only find a place of refuge where we will immediately find the peace of God settling  into our souls.  Jesus tells us we will have these experiences as we follow Him, but, not to fear, for He has overcome all the world can throw at us. As peace settles us down and we look to Jesus or help (Heb. 4.16) and begin to search the Scriptures for directions and steps to take, the Lord begins to help us to see issues in an entirely different light.  His word gives us directions for His path for our feet (Palm 119.105).  We gain courage and confidence.  With hope from the promises He gives us, we Begin to trust and obey and He supplies grace and power for our deliverance.

Vv. 30-36 assures us that if we will follow His FORMULA, and the leadership of the Holy Spirit step by step, the Lord will reward us with more than we can dream.  Job is our example for this.  He arams us with strength and makes our way like His--"perfect" (James 1.2-5).  The time we take to be with the Lord--(Abide," "Wait," Is. 40.31; Psalm 27.13-14; Jer. 29.11-14)--will supply all our needs with wisdom and strength to be a oak of righteousness for the display of God's spendor and majesty (Is. 61.3).

Vv. 37-45 is simply a review, and therefore a forecast for us!, of what God does for those who trust and obey Him in these times of affliction.  Our responsiblility is to prayferfully describe our situation as we see it, read Scriputre looking for the HOly Spirit to show us how and what God sees and then trust and obey what He tells us to do, step by step.  Such as outcome of vv. 37-45 is the promise of God for all who will do so.

Vv. 46-50 Celebration now and forever to the praise, honor, glory, wealth, and thanksgiving to God for ever and ever. Amen.  Revelation 4, 5, 7, et al.