This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

Psalm 34:6-7

During the last couple weeks of the Beijing Olympics, the world has witnessed spectacular productions and examples of athletic greatness. Appropriately named, Usain Bolt of Jamaica electrified audiences with his two gold medal performances and world record sprint in the 100-meter dash. And of course, Michael Phelps made a case as the greatest Olympian ever with his eight golds. Olympians often begin training very early in life for the few seconds of competition that often defines them and puts their name in the record books.

But no matter how strong or fast they become in their respected sports and whatever level of greatness we can achieve in our humanness stands humbled when compared to the matchless wonder, power and mighty of God Almighty. Psalm 34 presents the picture of God as a deliverer and provider and was written after David was delivered from Gath when he feigned madness. While it is likely that David’s choice to act crazy before Abimelech was his own and not necessarily God-inspired, it is clear that the events leading up to his deliverance were orchestrated by God. Thus, here we find David praising God for who He was:

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34: 1-4

The Old Testament, in fact, abounds with stories of often physically weak or spiritually weak men and women doing remarkable things with the help of the Great Deliverer. Perhaps one of the most pronounced displays of God’s power is the story of David and Goliath, where, after slaying Goliath, the child David testifies to God’s awesomeness:

“You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands. …”

1 Samuel 17:45-46

In fact, we don’t have to be physically mighty to inherit power from God. We inherit it when we trust Jesus with our lives, thus enabling the Holy Spirit to come and reside in us and through us. The Bible says those who are weak will be made strong in God, the poor will be made spiritually rich and the sick will be made whole. The same God who set the stars in orbit and hung the earth on its axis abides here, inside of all those whole believe. And that’s a remarkable truth!

prayer

You are infinitely worthy of our praise, devotion and trust in you. Help me to daily realize that no matter what I face throughout the week, that you are a big God, one more than capable of meeting my needs. Focus my attention daily on seeking your will and living my life giving you the proper devotion you so rightly deserve. Amen.