OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Psalm 18 (Focus 16–19)
MEMORY VERSE
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me.” Psalm 18:16
BACKGROUND
In a recent post, blogger Bonnie Gray recounted the moment when overwhelming sadness began to creep into her heart. “Out of the blue,” she stated, “during the happiest chapter in my life, . . . I suddenly started experiencing panic attacks and depression.”
Gray tried to find different ways to address her pain, but she soon realized that she wasn’t strong enough to handle it alone. “I hadn’t wanted anyone to question my faith, so I kept quiet and prayed that my depression would go away.
But God wants to heal us, not shame us or make us hide from our pain.” Gray found healing in the solace of His presence; He was her anchor amid the waves that threatened to overwhelm her.
When we’re in a low place and filled with despair, God is there and will sustain us too.
In Psalm 18, David praised God for delivering him from the low place he was in after nearly being defeated by his enemies. He proclaimed, “[God] reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters” (v. 16).
Even in moments when despair seems to consume us like crashing waves in an ocean, God loves us so much that He’ll reach out to us and help us, bringing us into a “spacious place” of peace and security (v. 19).
Let’s look to Him as our refuge when we feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life.
By: Kimya Loder
INSIGHT
Because of David’s success and popularity (1 Samuel 17; 18:15–16), the jealous King Saul tried to kill him (18:10–11). On the run for his life, David sought refuge in mountains and caves (22:1; 23:26; 24:3). But David was mindful that it was God who delivered, protected, and kept him safe.
Out of his experience as a fugitive, he wrote Psalm 18 as a thanksgiving song, as noted in the superscription: “Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”
This song is also found in 2 Samuel 22. David used various metaphors to describe who God was to him: a rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, horn of salvation, stronghold, and savior (Psalm 18:2–3)—all pictures of protection, security, deliverance, and safety.
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
When have you felt overwhelmed by trials? How did God sustain you?
(PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
No matter how hard or deep the FALL, He can still pick you up. pr
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“When we’re in a low place and filled with despair, God is there and will sustain us too.”
PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, there are times when my burdens become too much to carry. Thank You for continuously reaching out to me, sustaining me, and granting me Your peace, strength, and wisdom.”
HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I’M TRADING MY SORROWS” Darrell Evans/Hill Song
… Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord,
Amen
… I’m trading my SORROW
I’m trading my SHAME
I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord
… I’m trading my SICKNESS
I’m trading my PAIN
I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord
… Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord,
Amen
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord, Amen
I am pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy’s gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my shame
I’m laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord …
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY THS YEAR
EXODUS 4-6
MATTHEW 14:22-36