November 18 – A Strong Defense

“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, like heat in a dry place.” Isaiah 25:4-5a (ESV)

 

This verse gives us four ways that God promised to provide for the needy in Isaiah's day. The prophet Isaiah knew the wonder of God and what He did for His own who were in need. Number one, God is a stronghold (defense) to the poor or those without the means to have a defense.  Number two God is also a stronghold (defense) to those oppressed and in need of help. A stronghold was a place or means of safety and protection. A third is the shelter He provides when the storms of life come upon us. And when the heat is on God provides shade as the fourth way. He is our refuge and we can look to Him when we are threatened and wonder how things will work sort out for us. We trust Him for shelter when life is stormy. Sometimes we face people who have us up against a wall – we can trust and know God is with us to help us.  So, let's allow the words of our verse to remind us today how full sufficient our God is to be there and meet our every need.

 

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March 15 – Safety and Shelter

“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)

Isn’t it true that one of our greatest desires is to live in security? But, we don’t always, and we need protection now and again. The Psalmist, in this song, is seeking help and finds the close presence and fellowship of God. If we read the first verse we find a fitting title; “The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation.” David’s conclusions about the result of such fellowship is that those who abide with God are safe. This is true even if physical harm comes our way but our spiritual life is hidden in his shelter when we are in the midst of trouble in this world. The dangers we face come from both physical and spiritual sources. We may succumb to the results or effects of physical assaults and our adversaries may intend to take us down, they can only affect what is our temporal being. Our spiritual lives with God are safe for He has lifted us out of the danger and sets us upon a high rock well out of the reach of the enemy. The LORD God is our Light and our Salvation, He has promised us that!

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September 18 – The Real Safe Place

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.” Psalm 5:11 (NASB)

We are promised that when we trust the Lord, He actively responds. In our verse today we learn that the result is joy and gladness. When we recognize that we are safe, that brings joy. Refuge is a place of safety.  We have a promised refuge in our spiritual lives as Jesus followers.   It is so good to know that our God takes care of those who seek His help. When one of God's children takes refuge in Him, how is that done?  We find refuge in God when we have faith in His word and believe what He has promised.  Today's verse teaches us about two results from taking refuge in Him.  We rejoice with gladness and sing for joy.  God also shelters us and spreads protection over us.  These two expressions are similar, speaking of the from two different perspectives. We are reminded that we can seek refuge in the Lord and we notice that when we do trust God and His promises we have another cause for rejoicing.  Today let us seek refuge in Him.   

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November 18 – Fully Sufficient

“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall” Isaiah 25:4 (NIV)

The prophet Isaiah knew the wonder of God and what He did for His own who were in need. This verse gives us four ways that God promised to provide for the needy in Isaiah's day. Our Lord God also meets our needs in our lives. He is a refuge and we can look to Him when we feel threatened and when we wonder how things will work out for us. When our life is like stormy weather we can find shelter with our Lord. And if our situation reminds us of a hot desert we can find relief from the heat. Sometimes we face people who have us up against a wall – we can trust and know God is with us to help us.  So, let's allow the words of our verse to remind us today how full sufficient our God is to be there and meet our every need. 

December 1

“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:4 (NIV)

David had experienced the nearness of His God. He knew what it meant to live in close fellowship with God. It made him feel that he was living in the same tent with Him. In those days many people had tents as homes. So David had found himself at home with God and he said that he longed to live with Him forever. David also thought of the close relationship with God as the way a baby bird would enjoy the safe feeling of being sheltered by the mother’s wings. All of this reminds us of the close relationship that is our by faith in our God. Let us rejoice and enjoy it today!