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They say there’s nothing more terrifying than a mama bear protecting her cubs.


If you’ve ever witnessed one come charging across a clearing, changed from a lumbering giant to a fierce killing machine you believe it.


What seems safe at a distance is oh, so terrifying up close and personal.


I think many folks picture God as the great Granddaddy in the sky, looking down benevolently at the earth and showering blessings on its inhabitants.


God IS love. Scripture says so.


But God is also a fierce Father who will protect His children.


That’s the image David brings to mind as we continue Psalm 18:

In my time of need, I called to the Eternal; I begged my True God for help. He heard my voice echo up to His temple, and my cry came to His ears. Because of His great anger, the earth shook and staggered;  the roots of the mountains shifted. Smoke poured out from His nose, and devouring fire burst from His mouth. Coals glowed from Him. He bent the heavens and descended; inky darkness was beneath His feet.
Psalm 18: 6-9 VOICE

I’m so thankful that God in all His glory, majesty, strength and might is both my Savior and my Shepherd. He’s ready to defend me against the enemy of my soul and He’s made perfect provision for my eternal future. He’s also my constant Companion and guide as I journey toward Heaven.


I appreciate the passages in Scripture that talk about God as loving Father, as Comforter, as gentle, meek and kind. Those help my heart when I feel emotionally vulnerable.


But when I’m under attack, I want a Warrior to come rescue me!


When I cry out, I’m looking for a righteous, raging King to ride in and vanquish my enemy.


This is no battle of equals. Satan doesn’t stand a chance. The end of the story is already written.


I don’t fear my Father.


I know that in Christ His wrath is perfectly satisfied. I’m a child of the King, safe and secure in my position and my inheritance. He will defend me to the end.


“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.”


That’s a promise. ❤


QUESTIONS:

  • When you’ve cried out for deliverance do you feel the Lord has always answered? Why or why not?

  • If He answered, was His deliverance what you were expecting?

  • I’ve written before that some of us (myself included) might need to admit God has disappointed us.* If you feel like He hasn’t done what you expected/needed Him to do, are you prepared to voice that? Are you ready to breathe out the pain, the doubts, the disappointment-even anger-and make room for Him to minister grace and healing to your broken heart?

  • David’s imagery is definitely at odds with most popular depictions of God the Father as a Santa Clause type figure. Do any of the words he uses challenge your own idea of who God is? Are they comforting, frightening or something else?

  • What is your takeaway from the verses we’ve looked at so far in this Psalm? How can you make it personal?

PRAYER:

Father God,

Too often I want to stuff You in a box where I can pretend to understand You. Or I lean too heavily on verses that describe Your love and compassion and gloss over the ones that emphasize Your holiness and righteous anger. Truth is, when things are going along alright, I don’t really enjoy being challenged much.


But the “god” I design or understand is not You at all. You are more than I could ever comprehend. Your ways are not my ways. And when I’m forced to come face to face with that truth, it’s a little frightening.


Give me the courage to read and heed ALL the verses. Guide my heart to embrace the full revelation (so far as we have it) of who You are. Grant the grace to to receive Your love and Your correction.


Thank You that you are both Savior and Shepherd. Thank You for fighting for me and singing over me.


Amen


*Here are links to a couple previous posts about trust after loss and “forgiving” God:

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