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?

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.

Merciful Might

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Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Pandemic, Peace, Power, Protection, Security, Strength

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, ESV).

            Here the sons of Korah declare the marvelous security of those who trust in the Lord.  The image is of a stronghold or place of safety where God’s people may shelter against even the fiercest catastrophe.  Thus the following verses describe the supreme safety of the Lord’s presence against world-shaking cataclysm (vv.2-3), and the psalm’s refrain reiterates this theme of God as fortress (vv.7, 11).

            Rely on God’s merciful might to protect you.  God is the shelter of His people; in every danger, He can save; in every struggle, He can lift you up.  Place your confidence in Him.  Though the road may be perilous, He will bring you safely home.

The Shadow of His Wings

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God, Gospel, Love, Pandemic, Protection, Security

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7, ESV).

            In his contrast of the faithful God with the treacherous wicked, David has already declared the vastness of the Lord’s “steadfast love” (v.5).  Now the wonder of it bursts forth in exuberant praise.  With a touching metaphorical image, the psalmist compares God’s compassion and protection to a bird sheltering its young beneath its wings.  The image may strike us as a strange one to use for God, but it accomplishes well the purpose of picturing His fatherly love and protection.

            Take a moment to meditate on the wonder of God’s steadfast love.  The Lord of all the universe takes notice of, protects, and has compassion on those who come to Him in faith.  Turn to Him with your sorrows and fears, and He will shelter you.

Taste and See

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Goodness, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Pandemic, Protection, Redemption, Salvation, Security

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8, ESV).

            David has been reflecting on the goodness of God, who saves those who cry out to Him.  He has experienced God’s deliverance (vv.4-6), and attests the Lord’s protection of His people—“those who fear him” (v.7).  Now he calls people to experience for themselves God’s goodness, using the profoundly sensory language of tasting.  God can be known, and His kindness enjoyed by those who turn to Him.

            God is good, and we can know Him.  This is one dimension of the gospel promise: by faith in Jesus Christ, we can take refuge in God, and know His kindness and protection.  Take your burdens and fears to the Lord; He is strong to save all who call upon Him.

Whom Shall I Fear?

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

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, ESV)

            Psalm 27 is a joyful celebration of confidence in God’s protection and love, and a profession of the spiritual heart’s desire for His presence.  It begins similarly to Psalm 23, though Psalm 27 stresses the protection of God, rather than His provision; accordingly, it uses a military image—the fortress—rather than the pastoral picture of the earlier psalm.  But both share a delight in the peace of belonging to God.  In Psalm 27:1 a particularly powerful declaration of security in God is expressed by the parallel expressions, which declare God’s power to shield His own, followed by the rhetorical question, who, then, should we fear?  No one.

            God is the Savior of His people.  If you take refuge in Him, you have nothing to fear.  He is the light that guides His children through the darkness, their salvation against all danger.  He is the unassailable fortress that protects His people from all enemies.  Who can harm those who have God for their protector?  No one.  No one at all.  Shelter in the Lord amid the storms of life, and take comfort in God’s salvation.

In the Presence of My Enemies

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Pandemic, Protection, Providence, Security

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5, ESV).

            Combining the themes of provision and protection that have already been unfolded in this psalm, verse 5 presents us with a startling image: a meal set out among foes.  What would be the place of danger has become the place of refreshment, because God is able to disarm the wicked and close the lions’ jaws (Dan. 6:22).  So danger has given way to hospitality, complete with anointing and plentiful drink.            

God is abundantly able to protect and provide.  He can work in our situation such that we not only survive, but thrive.  Look to Him when you are afraid or discouraged, and lean upon His almighty strength to be your salvation.  The heavenly Father cares for His children, and brings them through the darkest times.

A Stronghold

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Hope, Pandemic, Power, Protection, Security, Strength

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9, ESV).

            In this song, David expresses his gratitude to God for deliverance from his enemies (vv.1-4).  God is mighty, and His sovereignty is displayed in universal governance over the powers of the world (v.5); He has totally triumphed over evildoers (v.6).  His sovereignty is expressed in verse 7, “the LORD sits enthroned forever”, which works out in His righteous judgment upon the earth (v.8).  In this setting, David expresses his confidence in God’s power to save and deliver those who trust in Him.            

God is mighty and merciful.  We should turn to Him in trouble, and call on Him in distress.  He cares for the vulnerable; He shelters His children.  When we take refuge in His almighty power, nothing can happen to us that is outside of His control.  It is a blessing to know that, if we belong to Jesus Christ, then no matter what we go through, we are safe in the Father’s hands.

The Rising of the Day

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Christianity, Glory, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Life, Praise, Prayer, Protection, Providence, Trinity, Work

Bright sunrise and sere grey skies alike declare your glory with the rising of the day, O Majesty Divine. Father, Son, and Spirit, God so mysteriously one and three, be glorified in the rustling morning and in my rising heart. Turn my heart to you today. Fix my eyes on you as I go about my tasks, so that in labor and learning I will live in devotion to you. Strengthen and protect me, God Almighty, for your glory—Amen.

Strength for the Night

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holiness, Holy Spirit, Peace, Prayer, Protection, Strength

Gracious and Eternal Spirit, thank you for your watchful care today. Breathe forth your peace and strength into me tonight, so that I may continue to serve you diligently, and to protect me from the temptations of darkness. Sustain me by your love and strengthen me by your power; waking and sleeping, be my light into truth and my shield of protection. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer in the fellowship of your love—Amen.