God Sees, God Hears

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Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Kindness, Love, Omnipresence, Pandemic, Security, Strength

“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry” (Psalm 34:15, ESV).

            David’s praise turns from God’s deliverance to His gracious provision.  God blesses and cares for those who seek Him (vv.9-10), and following God is the way of life (vv.11-14).  God sees His people and hears them when they cry out; God cares about our needs and hurts, and can carry us through all the struggles of this life.

            Our trials are never out of God’s sight, and our cries are never beyond His hearing.  His omnipresence is the greatest comfort to His children, because we know that our heavenly Father has us in His care, whatever we go through.  Turn to Him with your needs and fears, and take refuge in the Almighty.

A Hiding Place

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Forgiveness, God, Hope, Pandemic, Peace, Security, Strength

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7, ESV).

            In Psalm 32, David reflects gratefully on the loving mercy of God.  He declares how blessed it is to know God’s forgiveness (v.1), and describes the freedom he found in confession and repentance before the Lord (vv.2-5).  God is a refuge, and we should seek Him (v.6), and echo the wonderful words of comfort of this verse.            

Take refuge in the mercy of God.  When you are afraid, when you are in danger, when you are troubled, take refuge in God.  His strength is invincible, His compassion is unfathomable, His wisdom is uncontestable.  He can shield you from harm, and give you peace in the midst of trouble.  Shelter in the arms of the Almighty.

Enthroned over the Flood

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Strength

“The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.  May the LORD give strength to his people!  May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:10-11, ESV).

            From beginning to end, Psalm 29 declares the majesty, supremacy, and awesome power of God.  After beginning with the call to proclaim His glory (vv.1-2), the heart of the psalm praises the power of God’s voice (vv.3-9), which echoes through creation.  These last verses (vv.10-11) settle on God’s reign, even over the wild chaos of the world.  This focus on God enthroned leads to the triumphant petition that He would strengthen and bless His people.

            When we see the swirling chaos of the floods of life, we can take confidence in our God, who “sits enthroned over the flood”.  The LORD is King!  His people can trust Him and keep joyful hope in every circumstance.  Make this your prayer, in troubles and uncertainty: may God give us strength, and pour out upon us the blessing of His peace.  He is able.  He is King.

The Majesty of the Almighty

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Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Glory, God, holiness, Pandemic, Power, Strength

“Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalm 29:1-2, ESV).

            Psalm 29 begins with this call to worship, summoning the angels (and, by implication, all of God’s servants) to declare the majesty and might, the sheer glory of God.  The psalm goes on from here to declare the power of God’s voice, or word, and the sovereignty of His reign.  It is a song of exaltation to the Almighty.            

God is worthy of all worship and praise.  When we face the fears of this world, when we must bear the burdens of this life, we can find comfort and strength in turning our eyes to the glory of God.  Our God is mightier than any who can oppose us, and more splendid and majestic than anything this world can offer.  Fix your eyes on the glory of God, and walk with Him today.

The Saving Refuge

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

“The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed” (Psalm 28:8, ESV).

            The psalmist repeats the meditation of the previous verse, generalizing it to all the people of God.  This proclamation precedes a final exuberant petition that God would, indeed, be the deliverer of His people (v.9).  The images in this verse are “strength” and “refuge”, both of which signify protection.  God is a champion and a fortress for His people.

            Those who belong to Jesus Christ have an invincible refuge and strength.  If God is our protector, there is nothing we need to fear.  Have you taken refuge in your Savior with the troubles you are facing today?  Take shelter in Him, and lean upon His Almighty strength.

Exult in His Strength

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

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7, ESV).

            David calls out to God, confident that He will be heard because of God’s steadfast love.  Yet again we read words of confidence coming at the end of a petitionary passage.  For the first five verses of this psalm, David has cried out to God for deliverance and for judgment upon the wicked.  But at length he turns to assurance, and blesses God, who hears his pleas (v.6).  God is his protection, and he knows that in the Lord he will find help; praise results (v.7).            

Do we take refuge in God, and find the comfort and delight of those who know His deliverance?  God’s strength is a great comfort to His people, for He is their strength and protection against harm and trouble.  Trusting in Him, we will be able to sing songs of grateful praise, even in the midst of danger.  The thanks of the faithful begins with expectation, and rejoicing in God our Deliverer.

In the Day of Trouble

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Christianity, Coronavirus, Courage, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Hope, Pandemic, Peace, Security, Strength

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5, ESV).

            As Psalm 27 continues, the theme of protection develops.  The psalmist has confidence against the assaults of his enemies; their advance will fail (v.2), and he will keep courage even when opposed by a host of foes (v.3).  In a very moving verse, he expresses his delight in the presence of the Lord (v.4).  This desire for God’s fellowship is connected with the peace and safety he finds in God his defender.  It is interesting that verse 4 makes the same point with two contrasting images—being hidden away “under the cover of his tent” and being raised up “high upon a rock.”  But both images convey safety, and offer a movement from concealment to exaltation.

            God is the defender of His people.  He is strong to protect and preserve.  He can shelter us from harm, and He can lift us up beyond the reach of the wicked.  Though He allows us to pass through dangers and trials, He does not leave us to face these things on our own, and He promises to bring us safely through in the end.  Take heart, and take shelter in the mighty arm of the Lord God Almighty.

Lift Up Your Soul

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Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, Forgiveness, God, Hope, Pandemic, Strength, Trust

“To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul, O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me” (Psalm 25:1-2, ESV).

            David begins thus a psalm significantly focused on seeking the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness.  Though David has sinned, he puts his hope in the graciousness of God to those who seek Him (v.3).  God’s love and goodness are the focus of David’s hope, even against the backdrop of his own sinfulness (vv.6-7).  It is a comfort to read these words, and find a hope for sinners in the gracious forgiveness of God.            

Lift up your soul to the Lord.  God is gracious and merciful to all who humbly seek Him, the Savior of all who place their trust in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose to bring us life.  When you give in to temptation, look to God for mercy and forgiveness.  When you face danger and uncertainty, look to God for protection.  When you face hardship and sorrow, look to God for strength and comfort.  Lift up your soul to God, who has compassion upon all His children.

The House of the Lord

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Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Eternity, God, Hope, Love, Pandemic, Peace, Security, Strength

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6, ESV).

            This verse ends Psalm 23 on a note as expansive and hopeful as the beginning.  The shepherd imagery has been supplanted by the imagery of hospitality from the previous verse; but the theme of God’s provision remains the same.  Spiritual blessing is emphasized, especially with the introduction of “mercy,” the particular kindness of God to the undeserving.  The final image secures the theme of this psalm beyond temporal provision, looking instead to eternity with God.            

Those who belong to God have a confidence that lasts beyond the boundaries of this life.  God is eternal, and the salvation He gives means a welcome to eternity with Him.  You can turn to God for your needs today, and tomorrow, and all the days you walk upon this earth; and you can turn to Him with your need for hope beyond this earth, for your heart’s longing for a home and a Father forever.  God is gracious and kind; our ultimate need is to dwell with Him, and that is the promise of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Trust Him

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Pandemic, Power, Salvation, Security, Strength, Trust

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7, ESV).

            Psalm 20 begins with a series of blessings or requests, that God would deliver those who hear from danger and distress (vv.1-5).  God can save and protect, grant mercy and bless.  Then the psalm, already optimistic, moves to confidence in God’s deliverance.  The Lord brings salvation to His chosen one (v.6); thus the people of God trust in Him, rather than in the weapons of war (v.7).  God will sustain His people (v.8), and so the psalm ends with another triumphant petition and blessing (v.9).            

God is our confidence and hope.  No power rivals His, no might can compare with His strength.  No matter how weak we are in ourselves, if we rely upon the strength of God Almighty we have nothing to fear.  In your trials, entrust yourself to your great God and Savior, and have good hope, for your heavenly Father is strong to save.