Topic: Rescued from Powerful Enemies
Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:17–20
Key Verse: [God] rescued me from my powerful enemy. – 2 Samuel 22:18
Bible in a Year: Hosea 1–4; Revelation 1
Today’s Insight: Second Samuel 23:8–39 describes King David’s special forces of heroic soldiers who fought his battles and risked their lives for him. In addition, he had more than a million able-bodied men he could have drafted for battle (24:9). But as expressed by his song in chapter 22, it was God who deserved the credit for David’s rescues and reputation. Even as his nation’s most celebrated son, he was far from perfect. Although his last words make no mention of his mistakes (23:1–7), the biblical account does. In addition to his affair with Bathsheba (chs. 11–12), he insisted, in another thoughtless moment, on a census to assess his nation’s military strength (see 24:10). Even a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) could forget that his strength was always in his merciful God—never in the numbers.
Our Daily Bread 10th December 2021 Devotional Message
In 2010, at the age of ninety-four, George Vujnovich was awarded the bronze star for organizing what the New York Times called “one of the greatest rescue efforts of World War II.” Vujnovich, son of Serbian immigrants to the US, had joined the US Army. When word arrived that downed American airmen were being protected by rebels in Yugoslavia, Vujnovich returned to his family’s homeland, parachuting into the forest to locate the pilots. Dividing the soldiers into small groups, he taught them how to blend in with the Serbs (wearing Serbian clothes and eating Serbian food). Then, over months, he walked each small group out one at a time to C-47 transport planes waiting at a landing strip they’d cut out of the woods. Vujnovich rescued 512 elated, joyful men.
David described the elation of being rescued by God from enemies who’d hemmed him in with no escape. God “reached down from on high and took hold of me,” David said, “he drew me out of deep waters” (2 Samuel 22:17). King Saul, enraged with jealousy, hounded David, ruthlessly seeking blood. But God had other plans. “He rescued me from my powerful enemy,” David recounted, “from my foes, who were too strong for me” (v. 18).
God rescued David from Saul. He rescued Israel from Egypt. And in Jesus, God came to rescue all of us. Jesus rescues us from sin, evil, and death. He’s greater than every powerful enemy.
Reflect: Where do you feel hemmed in, with no escape from lies you believe or sin that binds you? How do you see Jesus coming to rescue you?
Pray: All-powerful God, I need to be rescued. If You don’t help me, I’m finished. I have no escape. So I’m turning to You. Please help me.
Our Daily Bread 10th December 2021 Devotional Today | ODB Ministries Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread.
Salvation Prayer
Have you ever made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life?
If not, pray this prayer and start a new life in Christ.
Dear God, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
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