"But...for the grace of God!"

There is nothing like a fragrant, flickering candle to bring a cozy feel to a home or office.  As the weather turns cooler, it just seems fitting to light a candle.  Its light casts a rosy glow from where the candle sits.  I think how quickly the flame can be put out if the candle is sitting close to a fan or window...and all that is left is that wisp of smoke. 
I had remembered reading a verse about God lighting my candle...and went in search of the passage this morning.  I found it!  Psalm 18...I remembered it well...I have spent a lot of time reading in the Psalms and went through this passage in depth.  I probably would say that since August, it has been a favorite Psalm.  David wrote this Psalm after he had been delivered from his enemies and from Saul.  He praised the LORD for the strength he was given in the "sorrows that compassed him".  He acknowledges the power and presence of God at every turn in the time of his distress.
He comes to the conclusion in verse 19, "He brought me forth also into a large place:  He delivered me, because He delighted in me."  Then David lists the reasons why in the following verses 20-28:  "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;" David kept the ways of the LORD.  He kept all His judgments before him.  David kept himself upright and from iniquity.  His actions, thoughts, words, and attitudes were clean in God's eyesight.  He knew God was there!
How many times do we forget that God is always there?  God is seeing and hearing and watching our every move...and not just when the trials of life are pressing us!  We use God like a bandaid when we are hurting.  When we are not hurting, we "wickedly depart from God, put away His statues", and do whatever we feel inclined to do!   Psalm 18:25-27  God shows mercy to the merciful, uprightness to the upright, purity to the pure, frowardness to the froward, salvation to the afflicted; but He will bring down high looks (pride).
"For thou wilt light my candle:  the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."  The light of God's Word reveals to us those areas that we would rather keep hid...the thoughts that are like Saul's thoughts!
David knew what had taken place each hour of each day in his life and in his heart.  He wasn't boasting.  He was acknowledging the LORD'S working in his life.  We know David wasn't perfect, but he was a man after God's heart.  Oh, that my heart would be tender like David's was!  Even times of great failure, he was sensitive to God's Words.  Saul was the opposite!  His heart was cold and hard...and drove him mad.
We all have hearts that are similar to Saul's heart at times.  "The things we criticize in others...we are guilty of ourselves!  The reason we see hypocrisy, fraud, and unreality in others is because they are all in our own hearts."  (O. Chambers).  Jeremiah 17:9  Our hearts are deceitful...desperately wicked.  BUT...God provided a way for our hearts to be changed!  He poured out His mercy, love, and grace on the cross of Calvary...His perfect plan!

Psalm 18:30-36

As for God, His way is perfect:  the Word of the LORD is tried:  He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.  For who is God save the LORD?  or who is a rock save our God?  It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.  He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.  Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation:  and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great.  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

"There is a difference between retaliation and retribution.  Jesus says that the basis of life is retribution, Matthew 7:2 "...with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."  If you have been shrewd in finding out the defects in others, remember that will be exactly the measure given to you.  Life serves back in the coin you pay.  This law works from God's throne downwards.  Romans 2 applies it in a still more definite way, and says that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing.  God looks not only at the act, He looks at the possibility.  We do not believe the statements of the Bible to begin with." (O. Chambers).

I don't see David dwelling on what his enemies attempted to do to him.  He didn't list out what was done to him and how he was going to repay past wrongs.  He did, however, deal with his enemies according to God's direction! He does give an account of how he was able to deal with his enemies in Psalm 18:37-50.  He exalted the God of his salvation.  He recognized that God is the avenger.  He gave thanks and sang praises to his Deliverer.

When we dwell on the actions, attitudes, and words of enemies, we forget about the Lord's working in David's life in Psalm 18:24.  We forget that God is at work in our lives, and He uses many different tests and trials to make us more like Him.  When we forget...our flame that once burned brightly begins to flicker as we seek to hide from the attacks fueled by Satan. 

But...for the grace of God...my candle can burn brightly for Him!  He will show me those things which cause me to slip and stumble in the dark places, so that I may be a light of His grace!