The Lord brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 

By the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Today we have two verses about God’s grace and protection available for all people. Psalm 18 is a psalm for the “Director of Music.” It’s a song to be song in celebration of God delivering David from his enemies. As enemies surrounded him, Davvid was probably hiding in caves, in small places. He was trying to hide and couldn’t move freely around the country.

Then the Lord brought him out into a broad place – a large area. He was out of the little hiding places and rescued. This broad place can be considered a place of freedom, and plenty and comfort. How often do we feel trapped in little places? Perhaps avoiding situations, rather than  being to deal with them. Maybe even hiding from certain people out of fear, or hiding secrets about our lives.

God is ready to help us as well. As the psalm says the Lord delivered David because he delighted in him. Not because David became a perfect person who didn’t sin anymore. But because God first loved him. Similarly Paul considers himself the least of the disciples; he even persecuted Christians before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He states that he is what he is == sounds like Popeye and his I yam what I yam. We can’t be other than what God has made us. It is God’s grace, freely available to all, that lets us have freedom, to be comfortable in the lives that God has created and planned for us.

Amazing God, you delight in us! Our imperfections aside, you genuinely love us just as we are, and you delight in meeting us where we are. We may be in the darkest recesses of our own hearts, or we may be frolicking in the fields of joy. Either way, your grace abounds! Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party