Psalm 18, one of my favorites, helps me to deal with the anxiety and fear that so often grip me --and all of us at times. It shows me the way to defeat fear and anxiety, which is using the sword of the Spirit.

Psalm 18:1-3 "I love you, O LORD, my strength." [my weakness is both real and irrelevant, for His strength is everything.]

"The LORD" [the holy, sinless, completely other One, who rules with indisputable might]

"is my rock," [my unshakable stability]

"my fortress" [my sure security]

"and my deliverer" [my ever-present protection];

"my God" [the powerfully creative and utterly faithful One who has claimed me as His own]

"is my rock" [He has made Himself the place of stability, safety and security for me, more strong and immovable than the Alaska mountain in this picture],

"in whom I take refuge" [this is my part, fleeing to Him in praise and persistence, thanksgiving and trust when difficulties, disappointment and seeming defeat come].

"He is my shield" [my personal, portable protection, coverinfg my head in every moment of the daily battle]

"for all who take refuge in him" (v 30) [Again, here is my part in the process: I must run to Him, think His Truth, trust Him—for He is the only place of safety and I must choose to stay in His Way.

So, let’s daily take refuge in Him, offering thanksgiving in all things so He may show us the salvation of the Lord.