In the 10^th century BC, King David identified 11 reasons to trust his God. David had enemies both before he became king and after he became king. David had problems both before he became king and after he became king. David was human, like you and me. David had strengths and limitations like you and me. David made mistakes like you and me. David was not perfect just like you and me. Yet David understood his need for God. David understood his God.

Psalm 18:¹(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,) I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. ²The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. ³I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

LORD = Jehovah, the I AM, the Covenant Keeper

David recognized his God as the One who made promises to Abraham; the One Who rescued His people from slavery in Egypt and brought them through the desert to the Promised Land.

Strength = body, mental, moral power

Why is it important for God to be strong physically, mentally and morally?

Rock =large and unmovable

Why is it important for God to be unmovable?

Fortress =stronghold with exceptional security

Why do you need to feel secure?

Deliverer = one who sets free and liberates

From what do you need to be free?

God =the Supreme Being, Creator and ruler of the universe

Why does it matter that God reigns supreme and created and maintains the universe?

Strength = body, mental, moral power

Why do you suppose David mentions this quality twice?

Buckler =shield

Why do you need a shield?

Horn of my salvation =strength of salvation

Why does it matter that we cannot save ourselves and need a Savior?

High tower =large fortress and stronghold

Why is a high tower important for defense?

Worthy = having great merit, character and value

What has God done for you that shows Him worthy of your praise?

King David identified 3 actions to take

In Whom I will trust

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Do you trust Him?

Do you love Him?

How often do you call upon Him?

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti