I just read II Samuel 22. This chapter contains a song David sang to the Lord, expressing gratitude for God's faithfulness and goodness. It's pretty amazing!
So, I wanted to write this chapter out again in a more personal way. So... in no way am I trying to alter or re-write a chapter using words other than what was originally written. I just want to write and reflect on this chapter, expressing what it meant to me and said to me.
I hope you get a lot out of this, like I did! And I encourage you to do the same, maybe in a journal or a blog; re-write what you have read and make it personal to YOU. That way, processing it in your mind that thoroughly, you will remember the concepts in a personal way.
Here is my version. Read it, then write your own about a passage that strikes a chord inside YOU!
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The Lord is my abiding source of strength.
He protects me.
He always rescues me!
God saves me when I encounter opposition, attack or false accusation. God will stand up for me, declaring and establishing the truth. All I have to do is speak out and ask for His help.
Threats might surround me - my life might be threatened and I might lose every possession I hold. I might stumble and screw up; everything important in my life might seemingly be destroyed.
Every usual part of my normal life might seem to trap me, trick me and trip me up.
But!! In the middle of all this going on, when I cry out to God for help and rescue, He ALWAYS heart me. No matter where I am, He hears me. The great God of the universe tunes in to what *I* have to say, and stops what He is doing to listen carefully to whatever concerns little bitty me. Because little bitty me is GREAT BIG IMPORTANT to God.
God is moved by what moves me. When I have been wronged, He becomes angry!
God Himself comes down from heaven in all His glory, might and fury to rescue me.
And when God shows up, everyone has to notice. There is nothing subtle about mighty God showing up.
God's voice speaks with thunder and unmistakable authority. God comes when wrong things happen to me, and God makes them RIGHT.
Every person or situation that was unjustly accusing or attacking me is confused and becomes helpless in the presence of God's power. Nothing untrue or unrighteous can stand in the presence of my great Father God. Because God IS truth, and God is holy.
God reaches down from heaven and picks me up, wherever I have fallen down. He picks me up and protects me from people or situations that are stronger than me... because NOTHING and NO ONE is stronger than HIM!
When someone is out to get me, it always seems they like to attack me when I am weakest and most distressed. But God supports me when I ask Him to; He stands me up and holds me up.
Then God takes me to a place where I am safe and where none of those troubles or stresses can find me.
He lets me... rest.
You see, God loves me more deeply than you or I could ever even imagine.
God rewards me for the things I have done right. Things maybe no one else on earth witnessed or even knows about... but God knows. And He shows His love by encouraging me with good things for the good I do.
I do my best to stick to God's ways. I am not perfect, but I do my best and continually ask for help... and ask for forgiveness when I mess up.
In return for my faithfulness to God, God is faithful to me.
In return for my living a life of integrity, God shows His own great integrity to me. He keeps His promises and always does what is right.
But God is hostile and aggresive toward wickedness. And He always wins.
When I remain humble and meek, God rescues me. God does not allow prideful people to come out on top. Anyone who is prideful will come out ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated.
God lights the darkness for me and shows me a clear path to walk.
God gives me enough strength to crush an entire army!
God gives me inner strength equivalent to that of an American Ninja Warrior!
For the rest, I'll just give you the original. Enjoy!
"God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.
"I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered.
I consumed them; I struck them down so they did not get up; they fell beneath my feet.
You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me.
They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the LORD, but he refused to answer.
I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth; I trampled them in the gutter like dirt.
"You gave me victory over my accusers. You preserved me as the ruler over nations; people I don't even know now serve me.
Foreign nations cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit.
They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.
"The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!
He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he brings down the nations under me
and delivers me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents.
For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.
You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever."
