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2 Samuel 22 – Praying through the Bible #105 – A Prayer of Thanksgiving
David had enemies who should have been friends. One was Saul. Today’s Praying through the Bible is a reflective, prayerful song of thanksgiving for being rescued from Saul. It is too long to include it all. Below are some of the highlights.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise. For the waves of death engulfed me; the torrents of destruction terrified me. The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. I called to the LORD in my distress; I called to my God. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears. Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled; they shook because He burned with anger. Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; coals were set ablaze by it. He parted the heavens and came down, a dark cloud beneath His feet. He rode on a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds. From the radiance of His presence, flaming coals were ignited. The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High projected His voice. He shot arrows and scattered them; He hurled lightning bolts and routed them. The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. He reached down from heaven and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters. He brought me out to a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; He repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. With the faithful You prove Yourself faithful; with the blameless man You prove Yourself blameless; with the pure You prove Yourself pure, but with the crooked You prove Yourself shrewd. You rescue an afflicted people, but Your eyes are set against the proud — You humble them. LORD, You are my lamp; the LORD illuminates my darkness. With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall. God — His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is a rock? Only our God. God is my strong refuge; He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights. He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your help exalts me. You widen a place beneath me for my steps, and my ankles do not give way. The LORD lives — may my rock be praised! God, the rock of my salvation, is exalted. Therefore I will praise You, LORD, among the nations; I will sing about Your name (2 Samuel 22:1-51).
Prayer Challenge: Take God’s titles and descriptions to use in prayer. Change some to modern metaphors. Also think of times when God has rescued us, whether spiritually, physically, from a bad situation or decision, and pray a thanksgiving prayer.
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