David Cries Out to God For Deliverance

Psalms 18:4–18
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The narrative begins with a generalized description of distress (vv. 4-6), continues with a theophany (vv. 7-15), and concludes with a description of divine deliverance (vv. 16-19). In describing David’s situation Charles Spurgeon says “from all sides the hell-hounds barked furiously. A cordon of devils hemmed in the hunted man of God; every way of escape was closed up. Satan knows how to blockade our coasts with the iron warships of sorrow, but blessed be God, the port of all prayer is still open.”

David did the only thing he could do, that which he was in the habit of doing, and that was to cry out to the Lord (v. 6). As a result God intervened in a tremendous way. A vivid description is given of how the earth trembled, the winds roared, lightning and thunder resounded (vv. 6-15), hail and torrents of rain pounded the earth. David knew that God alone had rescued him when he was defenseless. When you wish that God would deliver you from your troubles, remember that He can either deliver you or be your support as you go through them (v. 18). When reading this account, one cannot help but think of the events that took place at the crucifixion of our Lord.

David explains how that by such an intervention the Lord rescued him. In rehearsing his deliverance he gives all the credit to God who delivered him from this impossible enemy (vv. 16-19). When the storms come, remember that God is greater that the storms and will help you see the rainbow.

Application

Have I ever had a time in my life when forces were pressing in on me from every side? What did I do? It is so easy to try to work everything out myself when the best thing I can do is to cry out to God and then watch Him work it out. It’s been said, “our extremities are God’s opportunities.”