This God!

This God!

This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalms 18:30 NRSV

I don't know which God/god you have come to know and serve, but today's extract talks about one God, one known to the writer, who seeks to introduce the same God to us. Until you know the real God, you can never speak about him with any real conviction or even introduce him to anyone. The first rule in testimony then becomes a personal knowledge about the person you want to speak about.

So, who's this God? The Psalmist kicks off with an introduction: "his way is perfect". It does not say everything will always look good, but that as long as I follow his leading, wherever he takes me will always end up in good. We love the messages that tell us that God is good, but whilst that is so true, these messages need to be balanced with the realities of daily living. We are not promised a trial-free life; just one with an assurance of God's never-ending help.

God's promises have also been tested and proven to be true. Men and women of old tried and tested them and found them to be trustworthy. Men will not always trust what I say, but they will definitely be moved by the proof of my life. My life will speak about its priorities and pursuits and God will be spoken about, one way or the other. I get to choose how people see God in and through me. As I hold on to those good promises, I am assured that I am backed up by the greatest power in the world, against which nothing can stand.

And He is a shield; but note that it only works for those who recognise and treat him as such. I can say the right words and give the right impressions, yet my life could be the very opposite of all I say. God is all I need, but whether I am content with God alone will be determined by my life's choices. Just like the gift of eternal life, God's protection is available for all, but will only work for those who have come to accept him as Lord and have put their absolute trust and faith in God. Where do I stand? Where do you stand? His time of favour is here.