Why is your view of God so important? A.W. Tozer in The Knowledge of the Holy makes a bold statement as he claims, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” I can still recall one of my mentors, Bill Thrall, saying, “How I view myself is the most revealing commentary of my theology.”

The Bible reveals a loving God who is concerned about His people, however many people see God as being distant, unloving, and unconcerned about their situation. Although King David faced numerous challenges and difficulties, he had the utmost of confidence in his God. Psalm 18 is a testimony of God’s deliverance as David faced life threatening situations. Consider his description of God as he begins the Psalm,

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

David uses a number of metaphors to describe his view of God. Let’s take a look at each of the Hebrew words that David uses and see how David’s view of God can inform our understanding of God:

Rock – סֶלַע çelaʻ, the root meaning of this word is to be lofty such as a craggy rock and it figuratively it referred to a fortress or strong place.

Fortress – מָצוּד mâtsûwd, this word referred to a castle or a defense.

Deliverer – פָּלַט pâlaṭ, this is a primitive root meaning to slip out or escape and by implication to deliver.

Rock – צוּר tsûwr, this is a different word for rock referring to a rock or boulder and figuratively to a refuge.

Refuge – חָסָה châçâh, this is a primitive root signifying to flee for protection, figuratively it means to confide in or place one’s trust.

Shield – מָגֵן mâgên, this word referred to a small shield or buckler as well as the scaly hide of the crocodile indicating the protective shield that the scales would provide.

Horn – קֶרֶן qeren, this word referred to a horn and figuratively it conveys the meaning of power.

Stronghold – מִשְׂגָּב misgâb, this word referred to a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place) and by implication it connotes a refuge.

This list of descriptors reveals a God that is able to protect and defend you regardless of the circumstances. What is your view God? Do you view God as David, seeing Him as a capable deliverer in your life? The eminent theologian, John Calvin, made the following statement in the Institutes of Christian Religion revealing that there is no true knowledge of oneself without a true knowledge of God, “. . . it is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.” (Book I.1.1)

More recently, J.B. Phillips wrote a remarkable little book entitled, Your God Is Too Small: A Guide for Believers and Skeptics Alike.  Phillips presents many of the false perceptions that people have about God and reveals that the emotional distress that we face at times is because we have not found a God big enough who can handle our troubles. The truth is God can handle any situation that you encounter. If the fear of the power of sin is greater than your  confidence in the love of God, then you will often attempt to hide the real you. May you see God as David saw God – nothing is too difficult for Him!

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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