The Blessings of Making God Your Refuge
It was good to be home and to focus on the days ahead. This afternoon, I attended the first planning meeting for the National Day of Prayer event for 2017.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 HCSB
This well-known psalm begins like a conversation with the Lord. The psalmist makes his declaration in the early verses with these words, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2 HCSB)
The verses that follow reveal God’s promise to those who place their full trust in the Lord and find in Him that place of refuge that is needed from the storms of life. We see assurances from the Lord “safe-guarding” our life from all kinds of assaults.
But as the psalm concludes it carries a personal tone, as if the Lord Himself is addressing His faithful ones. Loving God results in deliverance, knowing the power of His name results in protection. Relationship with the Lord provides confidence in the Lord hearing our voice. “When he calls out to Me, I will answer him…”
I am reminded of other verses that reinforce these promises. “…call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15 NIV) “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV) “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:13 NLT)
We need to be willing to ask and to keep on asking. Often an unanswered prayer serves to discourage bold requests in prayer. Of one thing we can be certain, 100% of the prayers not prayed go unanswered.
The Lord not only responds to those who “honor” Him, but He in return says that He will “honor” those who make Him their refuge and source of trust. I am reminded of the promise, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11 NIV)
The reality is that troubles to do come to those who are faithful to the Lord. Some times it seems the faithful are defeated, at times their lives are not always “long.” But we can be certain that as we find our refuge in the Lord and we trust in Him, He will show us “His salvation.”
Prayer for today… Lord, there is no better place to be than under the shadow of Your wings. To stay close to You and make You our source of trust and our eternal refuge. Thank You for Your care and Your promise of blessings as we abide in You.