God is present. He’s all around us, like the air we breathe. He keeps the earth turning, the stars shining, and the moon reflecting. He maintains the seasons, holds the oceans within their boundaries, and sustains plant and animal life. He generally gets our concentrated attention when something goes wrong. Otherwise, He’s just there.
We acknowledge God, talk about Him, thank Him, sing to Him, and read about Him. We need to spend quality time pondering Him—who He is, how He acts, what He loves. Psalm 18:1-2 helps us do that:
I love you, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
My strength—in times of despair, sickness, fear, confusion. I had no resources left, nothing to draw from, but I’m here. God was my strength, my power, my might and He ever will be.
My fortress and stronghold—when no place felt safe He protected me and hid me from harm.
My deliverer—He brought me from one place to another. He never had the wrong address or mishandled me, but safely delivered me to the place I needed to be, even when I didn’t recognize it.
My rock and refuge—my solid ground offering me sure footing, rescuing me from the mire, sheltering me from the storm.
My shield and horn— guarding me, defending me, offering me a place to hold steady.
My salvation—from sin, yes, but from myself, my vices, and weaknesses. He saves me over and over from my enemies of fear, greed, anger, self-pity, jealousy, and others.
Who is this God we confess, pray to, and pledge our allegiance? He is all Psalm 18 describes and more.
Selah.
BARBARA HIGBY 