He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:1-2 NIV).
One morning, on the rare occasion that the sun was shining, I bundled up and went outside to my porch swing. The sun on my face was so healing, and the prayer that filled my heart was as hopeful as my thoughts of coming spring, "Lord, draw me. . ."
It was only in the thirties, so after a little while, I went inside and sat by the fire with my Bible. That's when the Lord prompted me to read Psalm 18. The whole psalm is full of meat, but the one phrase that stood out to me was, "He is my shield and the horn of my salvation." A reference on the page read of my Bible said, "horn can symbolize strength."
I rolled it over and over in my mind, HE is the strength of my salvation. Not anything I can do. I can't earn it, improve it, or lose it. The gift of salvation is based on a covenant between God and Jesus. Behind it stands the character of God. My part is to believe, trust and obey.
Just as animals with horns use them for their defense, He is our defense against all oppression. He is the strength of my salvation. My strength is never the focus.
In the practice of grafting, the husbandman chooses a branch from one tree to be surgically implanted into another tree. Once the branch is grafted into its new home, it draws its nourishment from the hosting tree. It is limited only by becoming disconnected. The branch doesn't hold onto the tree, the tree holds onto the branch.
Everything in the life of the little branch is now dependent upon the tree. So it is with the child of God. The tree becomes the strength of the branch never the other way around.
"He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David" (Luke 1:69 NIV).
Who creates the desire in us to seek the Lord? He does. Who creates the thirst in our hearts for His Word? He does. All we have to do is ask, "Lord, please draw me . . ." And He will.
Pray with me . . .
Father, please draw me. Draw me closer to You. Create in me the desire to run after You. I am hungry for Your presence. Speak to me, Lord. Give me revelation of Your love for me. Lord, please don't let me fall away. Don't allow me to become lukewarm. Put Your fire in me. I trust You to complete the work that You have started. In Jesus name, Amen.
(My grandson balancing on a rock in the Adirondacks.) When we stand on the Rock we have a better view of everything.
Grandson, William, took the picture of the rhino. Want to see more of Will's photos? Go to Wes Photographics