THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IS MY REFUGE

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. —Psalm 34

Who do you want to be your protector? Do you think the military can protect you? Do you think the police can protect you? Do you truly think that anyone can fully protect you? There is only One who can— “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalm 28:7— Psalm 3:3; 7:10; 18:2; 18:30; 59:11; 140:7). Who or what do you take refuge in? The only safe place is refuge in the Lord!

As you walk through today, and the rest of your life, make sure you have the “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16) as well as “the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18). Be on guard brother and sister. We are in a battle, but the battle is the Lord’s!— “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (I Samuel 17:46). Remember, it is Satan’s powers of darkness that drive those who do not know Him (II Timothy 2:26). Take refuge in Jesus. Let Him shield you as you shine His light into the kingdom of darkness. Onward in Jesus brother and sister and shine for Him!

Dear Father, may we trust in Your power, guidance and plans and not our own. Thank You that Jesus is with us until the end of this age and will never leave us or forsake us. I thank You for such a refuge and shield and that the Holy Spirit empowers us to bear the fruit You desire. May we yield to Him!