PSALM 18:1-2-I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Nine. Yes, nine .Check me out yourself. Count the number of times David personalizes his relationship with the Lord by the pronoun “my”. Wow! David is far more intimate with the Lord than just “my” Savior. For David, the Lord is his everything in all things and at all times. What about us? The Apostle Peter tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).And this growth includes experiencing Christ beyond the wonders of Him being our Savior. It includes what David knew of Him. Let’s explore the wide range of applications in knowing the Lord as he did.

First, Christ is the believer’s source of strength to not only endure trials and difficulties in life, but to live the Christian life–“my strength, my stronghold.” Cling to this reality; what God commands us to do, He gives the strength to do. Don’t let unbelief and fear blind us to the Lord is our strength in all things.

Next, our Lord is our stabilizer in the storms of life–“my rock”. In an ever-changing world, one of the most important parts of our testimonies for Christ is our spiritual consistency and stability. By being faithful, unmovable in a chaotic and confused world, the stable Christian shows the world the stabilizing power of Christ. And being models of consistency is also a wonderful encourager to other believers looking to us as examples.

A third and glorious truth of what the Lord Jesus is to His people is our place of safety and protection from the many fears of living in a dangerous world–“my fortress”, “my shield.” We have been delivered from earthly fears by the One who commands, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17).This empowers us to be bold, courageous, and fearless, not in and of ourselves, but because the All-Powerful Christ proclaims,“ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”(Matthew 28:18-20).

Finally, the Lord Jesus is our deliverer–“my deliverer, my salvation”. Here is our hope. Here is our ability to live unattached to the world knowing our Lord is preparing us a place and will take us to Himself. He delivers us not only from the penalty and power of our sin, but soon from its very presence.

Yes, Jesus is far more than our Savior. Learn to know Him beyond this precious role. Learn to see the Lord Jesus as our everything now and for eternity.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for providing all I need in this life and eternity through the grace in Your Son, the Lord Jesus.”

QUOTE: “Christ is the believer’s all in all, all the time, and will never fail to be our all in all, all the time.”