Hebrews 8 teaches a really important lesson in how we see the world, seen and unseen, spiritual and carnal. The writer explicitly reveals that even the very specific details and instructions of temple worship aren’t an end in themselves, but are a copy and a shadow of what is truly real. Likewise, Psalm 18 helps us frame reality, but from the standpoint of deliverance.
 
David belts out this song after the Lord has rescued him from his enemies. His words stretch beyond ordinary conflict. He uses vivid language and linguistic skill to speak of torrents of destruction, distress, darkness, thunder, a shaking earth, and rescue from deep waters. The tapestry he builds feels larger than one man, or even one nation, escaping an enemy.
 
That’s precisely why this passage is perfect for a week about authority over powers. Yesterday we zoomed in on Jesus very practically confronting sickness, spirits, and death. Today, Psalm 18 frames a worldview where the Lord isn’t just helpful in a pinch, He is literally our refuge, a fortress, and deliverer; a stronghold in a time of trouble.

I love the multi-faceted language of this passage; a refuge is where we run when exposed, a fortress is a place where we find strength to stand against enemies, and a deliverer is one who does what we can’t do for ourselves. A stronghold is a place of security because He who holds it is far greater than any threat surrounding it.
 
This world isn’t spiritually neutral and evil is more than an idea. Human enemies, unseen powers, suffering, injustice, and death appear all through the scriptures, but those realities are not allowed to be enthroned. Only the Lord reigns. Only the Lord hears. Only the Lord has come near to rescue.

As we’ve noted before, a proper Biblical worldview keeps us from falling prey to two popular errors.
 
One is the error of denial, minimizing darkness and suffering because we don’t know what to do with it. The other is fascination. We can become so focused on the powers we find our attention shifting away from God Himself.
 
David says, “I love you, Lord, my strength.” The confession of someone who has learned where true safety is found.

In Jesus, we see that deliverance takes on flesh as the King has come near so His people don’t have to face the darkness alone.

When you feel threatened or spiritually weary, where do you usually run first for refuge? (Honesty here … we’d all like to say to HIm, but is that really true?) How can you practice running to the Lord as your fortress instead of thinking or talking about Him as one?

Father, You, and you alone, are my rock, my fortress, and deliverer. Give me your eyes to see things as they really are instead of through the tainted view of my fears. Help me not to be ruled by those fears and run to You first. Give rest to my soul when it feels threatened. Amen.

“Today I can take refuge in the Lord by __________________.”