Good morning—today is April 17, 2025. Following God in a world that stands in such opposition to Him can be daunting. A natural response to opposition is to fight back using the same tactics as the world: hurtful words, physical violence, gossip, sabotage. Yet we see David respond differently… Read on...
Today's Reading:
1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4
Scripture
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” (Psalm 59:16-17)
Observation
Psalm 59 is David’s journal entry—or perhaps a composed song—pleading with God for deliverance from King Saul’s men, who were outside his house to kill him.
King Saul’s jealousy of David had escalated into violence. This particular psalm is linked to the story found in 1 Samuel 19:11–18.
In this chapter, we witness David’s raw, unedited, real emotion—something we can all relate to.
Application
When facing opposition, the only way to overcome it is the way David did—by immediately turning to the One who can deliver: God.
You may not have faced a literal firing squad like David, but you’ve likely been in situations where it feels like the enemy is at your front door, demanding your life. The enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy everything about you. That includes watering down your faith, oppressing your marriage, stealing time from your children, and diminishing the call of God on your life.
Remember—our problems will never solve our problems. So let's stop spending so much time mulling over them. Let's look to the Lord and give Him our lives, thoughts, and circumstances.
The Lord is the only One we can truly rely on to deliver us. It’s time to believe that—and live like it.
Prayer
Dear Lord, You are my refuge and strength! Today, I’m reminded to place my whole life in Your hands. My whole life—because so often I give You everything but my thoughts. And though I am saved, the enemy still has a field day with my mind. I surrender afresh to you today.
— Aaron Cordeiro