Psalm 18:1

"I love You, O LORD, my strength."

The word translated "love" in this verse is the Hebrew word raham.  Strongs lists the first meaning as "to fondle."

Hmmmmm.   At first I had a hard time connecting the word "fondle" with love for God. Then the picture came to mind of Ethan, Hannah, Rory, and the other grandchildren who love their blankets so much.  There's comfort for them in just the feel of them.  Ethan is fourteen and still loves that touch, although "B" now rides around on his shoulder in a very masculine manner.  Hannah truly fondles her blanket, going to it again and again in order to feel it, rubbing it on her cheek, inhaling the smell that is "binken."  Rory's "micey" gets tied around her neck in scarf fashion.  Others of the grand kids will grab a corner (or a tag) of their blankets and take a finger and just rub away on that spot.  There are times when the kids are playing and the blankets are put up, and I've seen them stop their play, run to the blanket and give it a quick touch, getting their "fix".  If one of them is hurt, of course they want Mommy, but of almost equal importance is that special blankie!".  What comfort it brings!

That's how David loved God!  David had a history with God.  There were many long hours out in the pasturelands where it was just David and the sheep...and God.  There were months of running from the crazed king of Israel when he had to leave everything familiar behind...except God.  Time and again David went to God for his "fix"!  He brushed up against God.  He touched God.  He felt God.  He knew God intimately.  He fondled God!  And because he knew and loved God in that way, David could call God his strength, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his shield, his stronghold.  And he could "call upon The Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and he was saved from his enemies!" (vss. 2-3)

May we learn to "fondle" God the way a sweet child does his most precious "blankie!"  I love You, O LORD, my strength!