All the Ends of the Earth

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Grace, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Providence

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas” (Psalm 65:5, ESV).

            David continues to extol the God who answers prayer and lifts up those who call upon Him.  As he speaks of the great scope of God’s works, He reflects on the Lord’s power displayed in creation (v.6) and His providential care in the bounty of the earth (vv.9-13).  God is generous, and His common grace overflows in this world; how much more should we wonder at His special grace to those who receive His redemption.

            God’s mercy is so abundant, His grace so vast.  Reflect on the wonderful generosity of His care for you, in the ordinary things of life, in the goodness of the world He has created and continually sustains; then reflect upon the marvelous mercy of His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.  May the mercy of God fill you with hope ever-new.

Satisfied

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Grace, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace, Security

“Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” (Psalm 65:4, ESV).

            In this psalm, David lifts up grateful praise to God, who hears the prayers of His people.  He begins by expressing the worthiness of the Lord for honor and devotion (v.1), that God hears prayer (v.2) and forgives sin (v.3).  How wonderful it is to belong to the one true God, and how gracious, that God should draw a people to Himself (v.4).

            Wonderful indeed is the unmerited grace of God Almighty.  Under the weight of guilt and sin, look to Him to lift you up; in the grip of grief, look to Him for peace and hope.  Set your heart on the presence of God, the gift of the Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ.  That is where true and abiding joy is found.

The Shadow of His Wings

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Hope, Love, Pandemic, Peace, Protection, Security, Strength

“for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:7-8, ESV).

            With evocative imagery, David describes the wonderful security and support of trusting in the Lord.  His reliance on God brings an inner satisfaction (v.5), and a sense of supreme safety, as of a little bird sheltering beneath the wings of its parent (v.7).  The further image of the “right hand” emphasizes God’s strength exercised on behalf of His servant (v.8).

            Rest in God’s mighty strength.  The images in these verses should impress upon us God’s compassion for His people, and the security we can know in reliance upon Him.  The world’s rage is nothing compared to the right hand of the Lord; what can harm those who take refuge in the shadow of His wings?

Earnestly Seek

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Pandemic

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1, ESV).

            In this psalm, David reflects on spiritual longing and the God who vindicates His people.  This expression of desperate desire for the Lord heads off words of praise (vv.2-4) and a reflection on God’s faithfulness (vv.5-8) and deliverance (vv.9-11).  God is the satisfaction and vindication of those who trust in Him.

            Seek satisfaction in the Lord.  This world is passing, and all its joys and triumphs are transitory.  But God is the eternal King, the strong Savior, the Lord of glory.  Make God is your highest joy and your deepest longing, the unshakable center of your life in a chaotic world.

Once Spoken, Twice Heard

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Love, Pandemic, Salvation, Strength

“Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love” (Psalm 62:11-12, ESV).

            At the end, David underlines the twofold basis of trust in God: His power and His love.  Why wait upon the Lord (vv.1, 5)?  Why rely upon Him as your stronghold against danger (vv.2, 6, 8)?  Because God is able and willing to save.  With a little poetic crescendo, David extols God’s might and mercy.

            Trust in the Lord, who is strong beyond measure, who is abundant in steadfast love.  Make the character of God your confidence—the unchanging, uncontestable might and mercy of your heavenly Father, not the shifting circumstances of this life.  Fix your faith upon God, who is able and willing to save.

Pour out Your Heart

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Father, God, Hope, Pandemic

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8, ESV).

            David turns from a reflection on his personal confidence in God’s protection to an exhortation that all should turn to the Lord.  God can be trusted in every situation; His people should lay before Him all of the fears and concerns that fill our hearts, surrendering every burden to His Fatherly care.

            God cares for His people.  Part of faith is this continual surrender of our needs, our fears, our worries, pouring out our hearts to the Lord, and trusting that He will do what is wise and good in every circumstance.

Salvation and Glory

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Pandemic, Protection, Redemption, Salvation, Security, Trust

“On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God” (Psalm 62:7, ESV).

            In this verse, David elaborates on the theme of God as fortress he has been repeating (vv.2, 6).  God is the center of his hope.  Trust is expressed in two dimensions: declaring God the focus of his future, and describing God as the place of safety from danger.  Turning aside from all vain glory and all passing hopes of deliverance, true confidence is to be found in the unfailing, invincible God.

            God is able to protect and provide, to rescue and redeem, to free and fulfill, in every time, in every place, in every situation.  Make God your total trust.  He will save and glorify those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  He will be a stronghold of hope for those who call upon Him.

He Alone

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Strength, Trust

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2, ESV).

            In another psalm, David reflects on his confidence in God’s protection against the schemes of the wicked.  Though enemies assail him, (vv.3-4), he will trust in God’s deliverance (vv.5-7).  Notable in this psalm is the repeated reference to God as the only hope, the sole reliance of His people (vv.1, 2, 5, 6).  In God alone should we hope; He is able to bring us through every trial.

            Even when you must wait, wait confidently upon the Lord.  God is compassionate and gracious, matchless in might, faithful and good.  He is all the confidence His people need, and He is the only one who never fails.  May you face every struggle in reliance upon His infinite strength.

Mighty and Merciful

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God, Hope, Love, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace, Strength

“O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.  My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalm 59:9-10, ESV).

            This is another psalm of David where he pleads with God for deliverance from the machinations of men.  The arrogance of the wicked is countered, and overcome, by the saving might of God.  Despite the plots of evil men, David knows confidence because of God’s merciful perfection; thrice in the psalm this twin theme is repeated, of God as a secure fortress and of God’s “steadfast love”, on which His servant relies (vv.9-10, 16, 17).

            Steel yourself in the blessed comfort of God’s strength and mercy.  The Lord is able to save from any situation, to defend against any danger; the Lord is kind to those who call on Him, and compassionate to His children.  Take refuge in God Almighty.

When I Am Afraid

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Pandemic, Strength

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3, ESV).

            Psalm 56 brings us again a hymn-prayer of David in time of danger.  The psalmist is beset by foes, who seem to have, for the moment, overcome him (vv.1-2).  But his response is a confident reliance on God.  Who can harm the man protected by the Almighty (v.4)?  The Lord is the great deliverer, and His faithful people respond with praise (vv.12-13).

            Where do you turn when you are afraid?  Meet your fears with faith.  No difficulty is too great for God’s wisdom, no enemy a challenge to His power.  Trust in the Lord as you go through your days, and keep your hope in Him.