Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 18:20-50 (NIV)
20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God. 22 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 23 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 26 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious, you show yourself shrewd.27 You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. 28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 36 You provide a broad path for my feet so that my ankles do not give way. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. 40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. 41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the Lord, but he did not answer. 42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me, 44 foreigners cower before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they obey me. 45 They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. 46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! 47 He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, 48 who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man, you rescued me.
49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. 50 He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed,to David and to his descendants forever.
Would God have shaken heaven and Earth to save you?
Praise to You my Rock and my Savior! You supply protection and strength in all things. Through the many seasons of life, I have been challenged with responsibility, selfishness, temptation, pride, helplessness, sickness, and loss. I have been blessed with family, friends, abilities, strengths, experiences, contentment, faith, humility, health, and gratitude. In all things, you have been faithful. Without faith in You it is hard work to overcome difficulties, but, with faith, You provide the strength to endure and thrive. In Your faithfulness, You have shown me unfailing kindness. You are a shield when I run to You for help. You have been gentle with me. Help me to learn from Your gentleness and grant the same to others. I am confident that You will continue to guide me in the future, just as You have in my past. Let Your light shine into the dark areas of my heart, my life, and in this evil world to illuminate Your way. Your way is perfect. Your Word is flawless. Lord, I don’t know what difficulties lie ahead, but I know that whatever they are, that You will give me the strength I need when I need it and guide me through the future. I trust in Your faithfulness. I rest in Your righteousness. You are my rock, my redeemer, and my Savior who will lead me for all eternity. Amen