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.

Absolute Security

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

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).

            In this psalm, David extols the God of deliverance, whose strength and trustworthiness is greatly praised.  He sets the tone from the first verse, declaring that God is his “strength” (v.1).  Then, in verse 2, he proceeds to describe God’s might and the safety he finds in God’s power.  He does this by piling up one descriptive image after another: God is the place of refuge, the stronghold, the Savior, the shield, the horn of deliverance.  All of these descriptors create a composite picture of the absolute security he finds in God.            

We are safe in God’s hands.  Those who call on Him find a defender who does not fail or weary.  No power in this world truly poses a danger to the people of the Almighty, who can run to God Most High for protection.  When dangers surround us, when the storms of life gather, let us take refuge in God, against whom none can contend nor compare.

Defender of the Oppressed

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Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, Evil, God, Hope, Justice, Pandemic, Power, Strength

“O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more” (Psalm 10:17-18).

            These verses end a psalm of earnest questioning where the author balances appearances versus faith in God’s sovereign justice.  It can appear that God is distant, disconnected, and unconcerned in the injustices of the world (vv.1-3).  The wicked defy God, oppress the weak, and seem to prosper (vv.4-11).  But this is not really a cynical counsel of despair.  All of this sets up the psalmist’s plea that God will rise up and bring justice upon the earth (vv.12-15); and the end is confidence in the supremacy of God, who will put things right (vv.16-18).            

God is compassionate and gracious.  He reaches down to those who are suffering and comforts them with His love and mercy, to lift them up and protect them.  He will vindicate those who are mistreated and oppressed; in His time, He will bring justice.  Hope in God’s deliverance, and entrust yourself to Him.

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.

In Safety

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Bible, Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Father, God, Pandemic, Strength

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8, ESV).

            After describing his confidence in the Lord’s deliverance, David proceeds to extol the way of righteousness, warning against sins of anger (v.4), and calling people observe true devotion and rely on God (v.5).  In the midst of a corrupt world God is there, and blesses his people with joy (see vv.6-7).  The psalm finishes with this verse (v.8) and its statement of blessed confidence.            

We can rest in God’s fatherly care.  Though the world abounds in reasons for sleepless nights, restless turning, worry, fear, and grief, God’s children can take comfort in His presence, peace, and strength.  Whatever the circumstances, if we belong to Him we are safely in His hands.  Commit to the Lord your sorrows and fears; God is able, God is wise, and God will watch over you.

His Own

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Adoption, Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Providence, Strength

“But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him” (Psalm 4:3, ESV).

            David began the fourth Psalm with a plea to God to hear his prayer, twice repeated with a reflection on God’s past mercy between (v.1).  Men are dishonorable and deceptive (v.2); but, he declares in this verse, God is faithful to those who love Him.  Thus, David is assured that God will hear his plea and once more have mercy upon him.  The past faithfulness of God, and the character of God, combine to make the basis for the psalmist’s assurance.            

People let us down, but God is wholly reliable, wholly righteous, wholly good.  Those who follow Him can have the utmost assurance that He will never falter or fail.  All who belong to Jesus Christ have been set apart as God’s own, and given the wonderful privilege that Jesus communicated to His followers when He taught them to pray: the privilege to call upon Him as Father.  Our Father hears us when we call.  Lift up your heart to Him today.

God of Salvation

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Christianity, Devotional, God, Jesus Christ, Peace, Persecution, Power, Redemption, Salvation, Security, Strength

“Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!” (Psalm 3:8, ESV).

            David has seen God’s deliverance, and he is confident that he will see it again.  God has sustained him (v.5), and so he takes courage, even against overwhelming odds (v.6).  This final statement encapsulates the theme of the psalm: “Salvation belongs to the LORD”, God is able to save.

            God is able to save.  We never need to fear, because in any and every situation, God is strong to deliver His people, to lift them up in His way and His time.  Those who belong to Christ may rest in His strength, and in this word of peace; we are in His hands, no matter what.  “Salvation belongs to the LORD”.

The God Who Hears

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Christianity, Compassion, Devotional, God, Jesus Christ, Love, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation, Strength

“I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill” (Psalm 3:4, ESV).

            Knowing that God is his protector and hope, what is David’s course in the face of danger?  He calls out to God for deliverance; and the wonderful news is that he can report God’s care for him.  God is his shield, and has not failed to preserve him from his enemies.            

The Lord hears those who cry out to Him for help.  When trouble comes, turn to God and trust His power and wisdom.  Make your sorrows and fears into prayers to God Almighty, who is able to save, restore, and heal.  He who delivered David from his enemies can deliver you from any danger—and His final deliverance is promised to all who belong to Jesus Christ.

Lifter of My Head

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Christianity, Devotional, Glory, God, Hope, Strength, Trust

“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (Psalm 3:3, ESV).

            These words of King David come out of a time of crisis and danger.  Many enemies stand against him, and doubters call into question God’s reliability as Savior (vv.1-2).  But David knows where his hope lies.  The threats and lies of the faithless cannot change God’s power, nor His faithfulness towards His people.            

No matter the odds, no matter the situation, no matter the dangers, God is able to save.  He is, for all who trust in Him, their protector and hope.  Look to God as your shield against the darkness of this world; find in Him your glory and joy; wait on Him, to lift you up in His good time.  Take heart, and trust in the Lord Almighty.

Our Refuge

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Comfort, Divine Sovereignty, God, Power, Strength

“Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12, ESV).

            These words come at the end of Psalm 2.  In the verses before, God’s invincible might is declared, and the futility of those who defy Him.  Jesus is Lord.  The message of God’s unstoppable victory is a dread warning to those who oppose Him; but to those who run to Him it is a word of utmost comfort.

            God Almighty shelters and protects those who turn to Him in faith.  Fierce and uncertain as the world may seem, the children of God have nothing to fear.  When you take refuge in Him you rest secure.  Dark days may come, but the victory of God—and the salvation of His children—is assured.