The wrap-around-God that Psalm 18 talks about became very real to me this week. In the Passion translation it says, “You are the wrap-around God giving grace to me,” verse 30. The notes at the bottom of the page record “the Hebrew word used here for ‘shield’ means to wrap around in protection. God himself is our shield of grace”. When I’m in an intense tango, He has His God arms wrapped around me, leading the way. Then, I can follow in peace and rest.
Reading this Psalm has helped me sink into His goodness, kindness, and amazing generosity. David writes about a war going on in his life, that’s very relatable to what is going on in 2021 and the tango we find ourselves in. I’ve learned I can call on this ‘shield of grace’ and He will deliver me and those I’m concerned about (Psalm 138:8) and He will answer.
Starting in verse one of Psalm 18, David declares his passionate love for God as his power. Then, he goes onto say:
“You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me. You are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside, always the champion of my cause.”
When I read these verses, I can feel the passion in David as he is crying out to God and declaring what he can count on His Lord to fulfill. God’s Word says that Jesus is the same yesterday and forever (Hebrews 13:8), so it applies to us, as well today.
Sounds to be good to be true? Well, if you read on in verse 3, there is a condition. We must turn to Him.
“All I need to do is call to you, singing to you, the praiseworthy God. When I do, I’m safe and sound in you.”
The theme of the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament is a cry from God that if His people will turn around from their wickedness, He’ll deliver them. It’s a beautiful story of how God’s desire for His children was to protect them from the horrible enemy that was coming. He wanted to be their wrap-around God. But they kept hardening their hearts and relying on man’s ways, and it ended in devastation and loss.
I feel we are at that crossroads now in 2021. The choices we make will determine how God will act. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Bible gives steps we can take to heal our land. The Holy Spirit speaks to us what our actions steps are. As a nation, those who love the Lord must adhere to these conditions for Him to heal our land. We don’t have to end up in devastation and loss. We can continue “as one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The Holy Spirit is working this in my heart today. It’s my decisions that will affect my future and my family’s future. As David writes in verse 25, “Lord, it is clear to me now that how we live will dictate how you deal with us. Good people will taste your goodness, Lord.”
We, His people, will taste His goodness as we live by His conditions. After all, we’re His masterpiece and the Bible is His instruction book. When we follow it, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, He will take care of the rest. As we take steps to walk in integrity and surrender to Him for our next steps and seek healthy self-awareness, He will fulfill His plans for us. Peace and rest will follow us all the days of our lives. Now that’s good news!
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