I've made a lot of the bold way Tim Tebow has used his status as Denver Broncos quarterback to give testimony of his faith and belief in Jesus Christ. But he's not the first athlete to have offered such a positive witness. I can still remember the scene as if it took place yesterday. The St. Louis Rams had just won the Super Bowl and Kurt Warner was being interviewed. The interviewer asked, "Kurt, tell us how you felt after throwing the game-winning touchdown with Issac Bruce?"
Warner responded, "The first thing I've got to do is to praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!"
In the same way, that's what the psalmist David does in Psalm 18.
The subscription to this psalm gives the reason for the writing of this song. David was hunted by His enemies with the same intensity that a rabid football fan might seek an extra ticket for the Super Bowl. King Saul, filled with jealously and rage, brought the power of the kingdom against David and his small group of followers. Each time God thwarted Saul's plans to destroy David. The evil king could never defeat David - the one whom God had chosen to lead His people.
David responded by writing a majestic song of praise to his Lord. He points to God's grace as the reason for his many escapes and triumphs. David takes no credit for outfoxing Saul. He does not boast of having a superior intelligence or battle tactics. He sings, "I love you, O Lord, my strength." To the very end of the psalm, David keeps pointing to the grace and mercy of God as the reason for his success.
Where has God surprised you with His grace? When did you experience His mercy in an extraordinary way? Was it when He sustained you through a difficult experience? Was it when He removed you from a painful situation? Read Psalm 18 this week. As you do so, think about the song of praise you could sing to the Lord. You already have the opening verse: I love You, O Lord, my strength!
