God is the Horn of Salvation

Every year, our FIGHT CLUB team puts on a few larger gatherings that we call FIGHT NIGHT. Of the years, I think many would say the best thing we’ve ever hosted was a real, full-scale bull-riding competition.... in our auditorium here at Passion City Church! We planned, prepared, got everything ready, but when that first bull came in through the back doors, strutting into our building, we suddenly had a new perspective of power.

 

During the days of David, in a middle-eastern culture, the ox was one of the strongest, toughest, and most dangerous animals. Often used for agrarian work, oxen were revered and held in high respect as powerful and daunting animals. And in that day and age, the symbol of the strength of the ox was best represented in the ox’s horns.

 

The horns of a wild ox were like iron, sharp and unbreakable. They were a type of severe strength and a symbol of victory in battle and conflict. Three times in this Psalm, David refers to God as his “shield,” and God very much is our shield. He is our defense and our protection. But He is also our horn of salvation. He didn’t sit back and just play defense against the enemy’s schemes. He demonstrated His power, like the power of the horn of the ox, and through His Son, He conquered sin and the grave and destroyed the sting of death once and for all.

 

God is not only protecting you, He is also brimming with power and authority and strength and He is fighting for you. He is a sure sign of victory and He uses His “horn” to secure and establish His people through His effective and eternal salvation.