I remember back when I was working construction having an especially startling moment. There was one winter night we were trying to finish covering a freshly sheeted roof with tar paper. The snow was beginning to blow in and it was miserable! This was a very steep roof and so we were standing on roof jacks. One of the guys had put just one nail in the roof jack and when I went to step on it, the jack came loose. I thought I was going to fall and I am sure my heart stopped for a moment. There is nothing more assuring than a firm footing!
In our lives, we often find ourselves in unstable situations. We are unsure of the future outcome. As a result, fear and anxiety often overwhelm our souls. You are probably thinking of a situation now. It is in those times that we can be assured that our God is our stay.
Psalm 18:18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: But the Lord was my stay.
At this point, David was running for his life. Saul was bound and determined to murder David. How was it then that David was able to be calm and declare, “The Lord was my stay”? The word stay has the idea of a support or staff. David certainly had much experience with a staff as a shepherd and the support that it gave. Notice at the beginning of Psalm 18 three reasons David was able to make this statement.
- Love God (Psalm 18:1)
He had found the comfort and blessing of loving God. There was nothing more important to David than pleasing God and putting His will first. When you love God with all your heart, you will be able to find all the support you need in Him.
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. - Find Your Security in God (Psalm 18:2)
Relationships, support groups, doctrinal positions, family ties, wealth, success or popularity will not give lasting security. Everyone, whether known or not, is looking for security, a sense of safety and stability. Those who run to God will have to look no further!
Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Seek God (Psalm 18:3)
Nothing will hush the anxiety of your heart quicker than bending the knee before the God of Heaven, our Heavenly Father. David knew he could not turn to anyone on earth for help. Even the band of men could not ultimately help, but God could. Oh that we would learn to seek God first. How we could then live lives marked by stability.
Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee, In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
The disciples of Christ must be able to truthfully say, “The Lord was my stay.” You can make that declaration if you will follow these points from this powerful Psalm of testimony.
Josiah Kagin 