Last Sunday (1 June), Dave preached from Luke 24:13-35, a passage traditionally associated with Easter. The story tells of Cleopas and his companion walking to Emmaus from Jerusalem, dejected and disappointed that Jesus had been crucified. All of us, if we are honest, can admit to identifying with those emotions: the loss of dreams, the sense that life hasn’t always turned out the way we thought and hoped it would. If God cannot be relied upon, where can we turn?

Jesus came alongside these two dejected travellers and asked why they were so forlorn. He then proceeded to take them back to the Scriptures, which is something we also need to do, for there, we will find living water for our souls. All Scripture is God-breathed and can therefore speak into our personal situations (see 2 Tim 3:14-17). We are reminded there of God’s faithfulness and our perspective is restored.

After they reached their destination, Jesus shared a meal with them. Sharing a meal together is important; it was in this process of breaking bread that they recognised Jesus as the risen Lord. Fellowship with Christ and with each other re-energises us (they immediately returned to Jerusalem after this!) We have friends in the church, people who can help us in our difficult times. We have a friend in Jesus. We are not alone!

Disappointments hurt. But if we look back to the Scriptures, look to the fellowship of other Christians and look ahead for the resurrection, we can come through our disappointments restored and renewed.

After the many conspiracies and plots against David and a sense that he is growing older and less able to lead militarily, 2 Samuel 22 comes as an oasis of praise. It is a song of praise (very similar to Psalm 18) and reminds us of David’s talents as a musician and songwriter. Author of over 70 of the 150 psalms, David’s songs speak of many things, including lament, contrition, sorrow and, as here, praise. This is a song of salvation and deliverance, a reminder that God hears and answers us when we cry out to Him.

Songs are ways of absorbing truth about God – and proclaiming truth about Him – which seem to transcend other methods of learning. This is partly because music helps us to remember words, partly because the words themselves use imagery and poetic language to convey truth in ways that stir our imaginations and hearts. David uses many metaphors in this song about God, calling him a rock, a fortress, a shield, a horn of salvation, a deliverer, a lamp. None of these things may be literally true, but as we recall those objects, we learn new aspects of who God is. David uses language relating to weather and nature (earthquakes, smoke, thunder, water all feature in the psalm) to describe God’s miraculous intervention in his life. He also ascribes God’s help to even the victories he achieves, focussing firmly on God’s divine grace and help.

The chapter ends with praise, wanting to glorify God for all His help and saving actions. Just as the book of Psalms ends with the five ‘Hallelujah’ psalms which use that word (meaning ‘praise the Lord’) repeatedly to remind us of the primacy of praise, so we end this summary of David’s reign by remembering God’s part in all His victories. David is not a secular king. He may have been blessed with many talents and skills, but ultimately, he is aware of God’s help in everything. We, too, can know God’s help in our difficult times, in our days of distress, and do not need to fear, for He is with us in everything. Singing these truths is a good way of keeping our eyes fixed on God. It worked for David; it can work for us too!