Scale A Wall Psalm 18:29b
Earlier this spring I was at a fenced-in dog park with our dog, Pepsi, and our toddler, Timmy. Pepsi is a Retriever (part Golden and part Labrador) so he loves to play "Fetch". I was tossing a floppy rubber disc for him to fetch when I accidently sent it flying over one of the fences. After settling Timmy in a safe place, I grabbed onto the chain-link fence, hoisted myself over, picked up the disc, threw it back, and climbed back over. Two thoughts rushed into my mind: "Wow, that was easier than I thought it would be!" and "With my God I can scale a wall". As I pondered the first, I came up with some ideas that may be applicable to the psalmists' words.
Why was it easy for me to climb over a 6 foot fence when in the past I've found it hard to do that sort of thing? The answer: Timmy, my two year old. For two years I've been holding and carrying around this boy who has gradually increased from 8 to 28 pounds. My strength has increased little by little and it surprised me that day.
What does all this have to do with Psalm 18?
Psalm 18 is a psalm of deliverance. It was sung by David when he was delivered from his enemies (including King Saul). It's a psalm filled with imagery of God's power to deliver and David's cries to see that happen in his distressing situations. It is a song of victory and praise in response to God's action.
David makes it clear, his strength and victory come from God's presence with Him: "With Your help I can advance a gainst a troop; with my God I can scale a wall" (vs 29).
Holding Timmy close to me day by day had enabled me to gain strength to climb the dog park fence. Is there a possible parallel with God? It might be stretching things too much but I'll give it a go......
Being with God day by day and holding onto Him strengthens us in our faith, our love, our hope. It may be challenging as He corrects and convicts us or delightful as He comforts and encourages us. Whatever walking with God brings in our life, it changes us. We come to know His Word, are filled with His Spirit, and become more like Jesus. In the situations and circumstances of our life, He is with us to empower us to overcome any obstacle or barrier to following Him wholeheartedly. With Him, we can scale a wall!
What wall do you need God's help to scale in your life right now?
Maybe you do have a physical challenge that you are facing. God is with you to help you. Your wall may be more metaphorical. Throughout the history of the church, the historical sense of the psalms have also been interpreted in a spiritual sense. In Augustine's interpretation of this passage, he says the wall is one "which sin has raised between men and the heavenly Jerusalem." It is only with our God that we can overcome the sin barrier between us and God. It is only with God's help that we can continue to pursue His will no matter what walls/obstacles come up into our path. Be encouraged: with our God it is possible to see walls we never thought we could climb over be scaled. He is with you! Get climbing!
Why was it easy for me to climb over a 6 foot fence when in the past I've found it hard to do that sort of thing? The answer: Timmy, my two year old. For two years I've been holding and carrying around this boy who has gradually increased from 8 to 28 pounds. My strength has increased little by little and it surprised me that day.
What does all this have to do with Psalm 18?
Psalm 18 is a psalm of deliverance. It was sung by David when he was delivered from his enemies (including King Saul). It's a psalm filled with imagery of God's power to deliver and David's cries to see that happen in his distressing situations. It is a song of victory and praise in response to God's action.
David makes it clear, his strength and victory come from God's presence with Him: "With Your help I can advance a gainst a troop; with my God I can scale a wall" (vs 29).
Holding Timmy close to me day by day had enabled me to gain strength to climb the dog park fence. Is there a possible parallel with God? It might be stretching things too much but I'll give it a go......
Being with God day by day and holding onto Him strengthens us in our faith, our love, our hope. It may be challenging as He corrects and convicts us or delightful as He comforts and encourages us. Whatever walking with God brings in our life, it changes us. We come to know His Word, are filled with His Spirit, and become more like Jesus. In the situations and circumstances of our life, He is with us to empower us to overcome any obstacle or barrier to following Him wholeheartedly. With Him, we can scale a wall!
What wall do you need God's help to scale in your life right now?
Maybe you do have a physical challenge that you are facing. God is with you to help you. Your wall may be more metaphorical. Throughout the history of the church, the historical sense of the psalms have also been interpreted in a spiritual sense. In Augustine's interpretation of this passage, he says the wall is one "which sin has raised between men and the heavenly Jerusalem." It is only with our God that we can overcome the sin barrier between us and God. It is only with God's help that we can continue to pursue His will no matter what walls/obstacles come up into our path. Be encouraged: with our God it is possible to see walls we never thought we could climb over be scaled. He is with you! Get climbing!
Love this! Except for me, I used to lift things heavier than my toddler, therefore I am getting weaker...wah...all the more reason to rely on God! I need to do this more often. Thanks for your words...I was meant to read this...He is so good. - Marlee
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy!!
ReplyDeleteI really like this...I have my knee wall which sometimes seems to get taller and taller...and I hit it again last week. I called to find out where I was on the list for my surgery..and they couldn't find me! It was a bit of a blow..but in the end I was "found" at my surgeons office instead of the booking office.. Perhaps there was some assistance in this.. I am 83 on the list..and he does 7 a month..you do the math! So...the journey continues and I know he is with me through this challenge...and the wall will come down!
Leeanne :)