A Broad Place

He brought me forth into a broad place. (II Samuel 22:20)

II Sam. 22:17-20; Ps. 3:7-8 and 118:5-6; I Chr. 4:10; John 10:9-10; II Cor. 9:8; II Pet. 1:11

What Is God Saying?

David's troubles were not over even at the zenith of his popular reign. The heaviest burdens he would ever face were gathering like an ominous cloud on the horizon. Chapters 13-21 of II Samuel tells of the things that broke his heart: Absalom's attempt to steal the throne and his subsequent death, the defection of David's trusted advisers, still other attempts to undermine his reign from within, then a resurgence of his old enemies, the Philistines. We cannot comprehend the depth of his trial in those years as we read those words in II Sam 18:33, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I have died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son." But for all his sin and all the waywardness of his family, David was still "a man after God's own heart" (I Sam. 13:14). He emerged from the trials with the royal dignity of the king he was. He trusted God, who had never failed him. He lived to write a great and final psalm of victory and praise to Almighty God, "This God whose way is perfect, this God whose promises prove true" (II Sam. 22:31). The Song of Deliverance in II Sam. 22 is the same as Psalm 18. We find our key verse in both places. Calamity there was; the enemy came on in waves, too mighty for a man, even David, to handle in his strength, but "the Lord was my stay," sang David, "he brought me forth into a broad place."

How Does This Apply To Us?

Are we thankful for the broad places in our lives? Are we even aware of them? Sometimes, we realize the expansiveness of God's love and protection and the abundance of His blessing. As we come to prayer, we may have the same joy David had—no more shadowy images waiting in ambush. No more depression of mind and spirit, no more discouragement, no more feeling useless, weak, and outnumbered. We are praying to a God of omnipotent power and abundant blessing. "His way is perfect, the promise of the Lord proves true" (22:31). Let that thought filter through our prayers; fill our hearts with confidence. Thus, we come to a broad place. Therefore, we stay there.

Pray With Me

O Christ, my strong Deliverer, on the Cross and through the Cross, You have brought me forth into a broad place:

• Out of the narrowness of an existence in bondage to sin into the largeness of a life in obedience to truth.

• Out of the darkness of an existence haunted by fear into the light of a life strengthened by hope.

• Out of the prison of an existence devoted to self, into the liberty of a life devoted to You and others.

From the little pains that seemed so big, from the little complaints that seemed so important, from the little excuses that seemed so valid, from the little victories that seemed so great, from the little plans that seemed so bold, from the little self-denials that seemed so commendable, You have brought me forth into a broad place where I can see that nothing is significant or important unless it is done in Your Spirit and for Your glory.

As Your living presence continues to give my hand strength and my heart courage, I am growing to a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. It is wonderful to live in the broad places of Your love. As You love the whole world and send Your rain to fall on the just and the unjust, let my life be a continual blessing to others.

You have brought me forth into spacious regions that I may serve as one who has unlimited freedom. You have brought me into a broad place I may share as one with inexhaustible blessings.

Forgive and deliver me whenever I use a narrow view of your love to exclude others. As You have brought me forth, keep me in the broad place.

For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

The burden of prayer should be of claiming God's abundant blessings moment by moment. We are children, joint heirs with Christ. Prayer can help us express the freedom and joy of abundant life.