A SONG OF REMEMBRANCE

^"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.  For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?  God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places."

 - 2 Samuel 22:31-34

David was one of the greatest men in the Bible.  Although his early life was highlighted by victory and achievement, he later made foolish mistakes that brought tragedy to the very people he loved most.  Despite his many mistakes, David ended his life victoriously.  The Scripture I post above are the words of David as he reflected on the great victories God brought through his leadership.  As a typical musician would, David put his feelings in a song. 

Looking again at the above text, I hope that you'll join Israel's great king in praising our glorious Lord.  I want you to notice three things that David states about the Lord:

1.  GOD IS PERFECT

First of all, David declares that God is perfect:  "As for God, his way is perfect..." We tend to use the word, "perfect," very loosely.  There is a difference between excellence and perfection, but the difference has been fused together in the minds of many.  The fact is that only God is perfect.  Perfection describes something or someone as flawless.  Obviously, we are all flawed.  Everything that we see here on earth is flawed, because everything has been influenced by the curse of sin.  But God is not flawed.  No form of imperfection can be discovered in His character.  No form of error taints his actions and words.  God is perfect.

David wrote that God's, "... way is perfect..."  The way God works and leads is always perfect.  When all is said and done, we will look back at the way the Lord has led us, and in the moment, we will give Him praise because we'll realize that His way was perfect.

2.  GOD IS PRECIOUS

Secondly, we learn that God is precious.  Look again at our text:  "... the word of

the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him."  The word, "buckler," refers to a shield.  The Lord is a shield for His children, protecting those who trust in Him.  He is precious to us!

The Lord was precious to David.  Notice the two questions that David asks:  "For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?"  The obvious answer to these rhetorical questions is simple: there is no one like the Lord. 

God is precious.

3.  GOD IS POWERFUL

Third, we learn that God is powerful.  David wrote, "God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places." 

Notice a few things that David states.  First of all, David shares this strength and power came from God.  David was a mighty warrior, but his mighty strength came from within.  God is powerful & only through His power can a man become powerful.

Furthermore, David knew that God had ordained His life.  God chose David from among his brethren.  God used David to bring victory to Israel.  God blessed David to be a mighty king over God's people.  In many ways, David was the greatest king Israel had ever known.

Finally, David credited God with his blessings.  Like other Old Testament saints, David illustrated the blessed life as being like a deer that reaches high peaks.  Have you ever watched a deer?  Deer can dart upon a rugged mountain with ease.  David wrote that God blessed him to advance to higher levels of spiritual blessing, giving him feet like a deer & enabling him to reach new heights.  This reminds me of the old song,

"I'm pressing on the upward way,

New heights I'm gaining every day;

Still praying as I'm onward bound,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith on heaven's tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

May that be our prayer today!   God is perfect.  God is precious.  God is powerful.  Like David, we should praise God for His accomplishments.  You & I have been through many battles, persevered through great struggles and enjoyed glorious victories.  Yet have we praised God for these things?  As we reflect upon the things God has brought us through, we will have ample reasons to glorify the Lord.

As we reflect upon God's blessings, our faith should be strengthened.  We can trust the Lord with the challenges we'll face today --- and the future ahead.