(Psalms 18:27-29) “For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. (28)  For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (29)  For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”

In these verses, David gives an insight to what God does for His People; God’s actions give His people the power to overcome the enemies of the Cross, and even the temptation to sin (1 Jn. 2:15-16); and also to overcome the doubts and depression that lie within his flesh.

The flesh in the child of God, as has been noted in the previous devotions, is the strong enemy that lives within the believer. The flesh in a regenerated child of God has been dethroned, as far as controlling the believer’s spirit (Rom. 6:6; Heb. 4:12). However, the flesh – even though it has been crucified in the process of regeneration in the child of God – the flesh still abides in the saved man, as (Rom. 7:13-24) reveals. The Apostle Paul explains what happens in the believer after regeneration; that is, the struggle between the flesh and the spirit, in (Gal. 5:17) “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” This indicates a battle, or struggle, between the “old man” and the “new man” in the believer. When the believer does sin; it is a sin of the flesh, and not of the Spirit.

But as the text reveals, the saved man does find himself in “afflictions” and in “darkness” and surrounded by the enemies of God. The beauty of the text is the actions of God for His Sheep; and the power that is found in the believer to perform the commandments of God, because of God’s actions in and for the believer. David deals with the following:

The Assurance of David Against the Enemy: (27) “For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” David divides this verse into two parts:

First, “For thou wilt save the afflicted people…” David states again the Promise of God to Protect and Provide for the people of God against all enemies. David uses the word “save”; which is, “A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor: – defend, deliver, help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save, get victory.” David stated not if; but, a fact, that God would “save” the afflicted people. This is a sure hope in the believer because of Who God is.

The word “afflicted” means, “depressed, in mind or circumstances – afflicted, humble`, lowly`, needy, poor.” David is saying then, that God’s people will suffer from the effects of the “old man,” who brings on defeat and depression at certain times and in certain season. Also, David pointed to persecution that does come to the believer from the enemies of God (2 Tim. 3:12). But, praise God, He saves (or delivers, or makes safe) the righteous; even, from the believer’s flesh and from all enemies. This deliverance is either physically in this life; or, even in death, the child of God is delivered to the very presence of God, (Php 1:21) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The unsaved man hates God and the ways of God and the people of God that live and walk in the righteousness of God (Jn. 3:20; 15:18-21). This struggle has been since Cain and Abel. The unrighteous hates the Light of God; which Light reveals who they are; for they are God haters. Take heart, Child of God, if you are afflicted today – either by the flesh or by the outward enemies of God – God is on your side; God never sleeps or slumbers, (Ps. 121:1-6) “He that keepeth Israel” will be your Shield, High Tower and Buckler (Ps. 18:2).

David explains why the enemies of God afflict the people of God, and what God does to these people, as follows:

Second, “but wilt bring down high looks.” David gives the root problem of the enemy of God and of God’s people; and it is “high looks,” or Pride. The prophet Isaiah looks down in time to the Prideful Jew; whom God would judge, (Isa 2:11-12)“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.” God abhors and detest Pride in man (Prov. 8:13; 16:18; 1 Jn. 2:16). Pride is not of God, but of the devil; for God resisteth the proud (Jas. 4:6), “but giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5b). (Pro 16:5) “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” Rest assured, Child of grace, God sees your situation and is in complete control of the enemy; and at His appointed time will bring His Judgement on the enemy; He will bring down the high looks of the enemies of God.

Third, (28) “For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” David wrote in (2Sa 22:29), “For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.” David used the same Hebrew word in both (Ps. 18:28; and in 2 Sam. 22:29); translated “light” in the former and translated “lamp” in the latter reference. Either way it matters not; for Jesus Christ is the “Light” of the world (Jn. 8:12). It is Christ alone that can bring Light to a sinner, and enlighten (or reveal Himself as the Light to) the dark and dead sinner in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1). David was confessing that Jehovah (or Jesus) was the sole Source of the Light that was in him. David said: Not only is Jehovah (the LORD) my Spiritual Light; but, in my darkness of affliction or troubles; God is my Light of Deliverance. Job said, (Job 29:3)“When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness.” Job indicated that he was enabled to walk through “darkness,” or through his valleys, his trials, and troubles by “…by His (God) Light…” The reason being is that God is Omniscience (or has all knowledge); He sees all and knows all. Therefore, we do go through our valleys or our darkness by the Leadership of God. God knows the beginning and the end of our journey, and all in between (Job 14:5; 23:13-14; Ps. 37:24; Prov. 19:21). David, or any believer, will never have success on the journey of life without submission and obedience to the Good Shepherd of the Sheep (Ps. 23:1-6; Jn. 10:1-30). David stated a fact of what God would do – not maybe – but a fact that He would do. “For thou wilt light” and “the LORD my God will enlighten.” Notice, “thou wilt” and “God will”; David said, God will do it – not maybe – but He will do it. Hallelujah!

The Action of David: (29) “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”

First, David reveals the action of one empowered by God, (29) “For by thee…” That is, it is by God and by Him alone. David took no credit for his success; nor should any child of God take credit for the victory over the enemies of the Cross (Mt. 19:26; Phil 4:13).                            

 Second, “I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” David, gives facts; not a hope so. It is past tense; “I have run through” and “have I leaped over a wall.” It is one thing to hope so; and it is altogether another thing to have had it accomplished in your life “… I have...” is very definitive.

Application:

Where is your confidence? Child of God, don’t abide in defeat, or in depression caused by the deceiving of your flesh; but, rather, look up, walk in faith and by faith (Gal. 2:20). You are the temple of the Living God; empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. Depend upon the Power of God and upon His Promises, and let go of self and self’s lies that you can do it by yourself. When the believer depends upon self, defeat and depression are the results. When the believer looks, as did David, to God for the Victory; then, Victory is always the result. Amen and Amen!

The encouragement given to the reader of this devotion from the Word of God is the reason of this devotion. The child of God must always look to the Word of God for his hope; for the Bible is God’s letter of Hope to His children. Hope is never found for the believer in self, or in any word from this evil world.