2 Samuel 22

David was growing old and would eventually die. When the end came, the great king would be remembered as a man who turned to the Lord in distress and was heard. The beautiful words recorded here also appear in the psalter as Psalm 18. They are about David, but they are also for us, for they are about Jesus Christ, who represents both David and us before God.

David knew that his victories against his enemies did not come to him by his own strength. The Lord God was his rock.

Before David was born and beyond his final days on this earth, the Almighty God of Israel knew David and preserved his life. The king faced moments of great distress, and when he called upon the Lord he was heard.

David received God's special protection in his day as the man who would be the great ancestor of a far greater Messiah King. We are kept through God's special acts of providence as are all who are united to David's Messiah and ours.

The Lord God Almighty was willing to enter into battle for David, using all the forces of this creation for the man in whom He delighted. God rescued us with something more powerful than an earthquake. We have been saved through the coming of a whole new era of resurrection when the Lamb of God who died for us was made alive again.

David's song of deliverance in this chapter anticipated the life of his great descendant. Jesus achieved His mission by His own righteousness. We have seen the consequences of David's sins throughout this book. The king's only hope came from his sinless Lord. We have been rewarded according to Christ's obedience and not our own.

How are we to be counted as the Lord's beloved? We must be united to His Son, Jesus Christ. God saves the humble, but He opposes the proud. We see our sin and humbly run to Jesus. He is the only refuge of His people. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

David's Son was also David's Lord. What gift did David or any of us have that we were not given through Jesus, our Redeemer? Yet when He won His greatest battle for us in the obedience of the cross, He did not appear strong. But there is nothing stronger than an empty grave.

Through the cross, Christ has absolutely crushed His and our enemies. He died, but yet He lives again. Now He is the Rock of Ages for millions far beyond the borders of Israel. God has shown us His steadfast love. He will shower His blessings upon all His beloved children forever. We are His offspring through faith in His Name.

When our lives come to a close, we would do well to consider God's deliverance toward us through the Captain of our Salvation. Let others boast in their own glories and achievements. We will rejoice in the Lord always.