DAILY STRENGTH FOR MEN
March 1 (day 2)

Passage: Verse in Context - 2 Samuel 22:1-7, 17-20 NRSV

David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears. He reached from on high, he took me, he drew me out of mighty waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated em; for they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my stay. He brought meout into a broad palce; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Questions for Reflection and Application

* What motivates you to help others? Are there times when it is to reciprocate as a favor done for you? Or in the hopes of getting seom recognition or praise? Or to build up some "equity" with another preson?

* Do you gelieve that God rewards people who do his will, either in this life or the next? Or do you think that God expects his followers to be obedient, regardless of whether or not they receive a reqard for their good works?

* When is the last time you saw someone doing something good and praised God for it? Why do we tend to do that so rarely?

Father, even though I will fight many battles in this life, help me to remember to whom the glory goes for winning the good fight. Amen.