April 3 – He Takes Up Our Cause

“I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit;” Lamentations 3:55 (ESV)

“You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.” Lamentations 3:57-58 (ESV)

One of the prophets in the Old Testament was Jeremiah. He was faithful in delivering  the messages God gave to him to give to His people. Jeremiah suffered much for people who didn't want to hear these messages. They hated hearing the warnings against them.  After God's judgment fell on the City of Jerusalem, Jeremiah expressed his feeling in the book of Lamentations. These verses from that book are selected for us today. When once Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern and sank into the mud at the bottom he did not forget God. And God had not forgotten Jeremiah either. He heard the prophet call out to Him and He acted to save him.  This is just one example of how our God watches over His people, even if we are not sinking into an actual pit as Jeremiah did. It might just be a pit of discouragement or of depression or emotional difficulty. He will take up your case when you call on him because He has redeemed your life and He has promised to never desert you and He has promised to carry you when you need Him to. 

August 28

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11 (NIV)

There is a joy which comes from trusting in the Lord. The songwriter, David, experienced this and he longed that others might also know this joy. It is true that those who take refuge in the Lord will find that He spreads a protection over them. It is not like an inanimate refuge, like a cave or a fortress. God actually acts to protect us when we come to Him for refuge. We need to be aware of this action by the Lord. When we seek His protection from trouble, discouragement, temptation, He personally acts on our behalf. Is it not good reason to rejoice?