Eight words
I was never any good at English at school. Back then you could study both English language and literature. I only did language and was genuinely shocked that I got a B in my O level exam. For those who don’t know what an O level is, it’s something that pre-dated GCSEs!
To this day, I am not a great reader, I’d far rather watch a movie, but I have learnt to appreciate those who are good with the written word.
I do love how people can paint pictures with words, in a descriptive and creative way.
The Bible uses many words to describe the character and nature of God. Just take a look at this opening to Psalm 18...
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
In these two verses the writer, King David, used eight words to describe different aspects of God: strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of my salvation and stronghold. The word horn symbolises strength, like the horn on a wild ox.
This Psalm is a song. A lavish account of how God delivered David from the hand of all his enemies. The language is highly evocative and descriptive, probably not all literal. It speaks of a God who was there for David, who intervened, who answered his prayers.
I don’t know what you may be facing, but I do know that the God of King David is still the same today. It might just be that you need to know today that God can be your strength, your rock, your fortress, your deliverer, your refuge, your shield, the horn of your salvation and your stronghold!
God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader