David wrote in verses 9-10a, “O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” Then in verse 17, “O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” The only different words are “watch” and “sing”; “shamar” to “zamar” in Hebrew. He was playing with words, perhaps to emphasize faith that brings the deliverance and salvation of his God.
Jesus often praised people’s faith. “Your faith has healed you,” was often repeated (Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34, 10:52; Luke 8:48, 18:42). The first definition of faith in the AHD is, “Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, an idea, or a thing.” Hebrews 11:1-2 defines it this way, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Then the rest of the chapter gives many examples.
My faith in Jesus is not a crutch or a scapegoat. Rather, it is a strength that makes me well. Faith in Jesus is what gives me eternal life. I am sure that Jesus is the Creator Word who came in the flesh as Immanuel God, died for the forgiveness of my sins, rose from death on the third day, and ascended to heaven where he sits at the right hand of God. I believe he will come again, transform my body to be like him to be with him for eternity in eternal bliss. Jesus is my fortress and my loving God. He is my strength that delivers me from my enemies, the dogs that prowl about the city outside my home every evening howling unsatisfied.
