Our Refuge (Psalm 34:8)

Today's scripture: Psalm 34:8

As many of you have experienced, the last few weeks were a bit rough ... good, but rough. The holidays can be hectic, and adding to that travel, teaching, and social things, it's been ... well, rough.

I was beyond weary, so I found myself seeking the refuge that only comes from God. I was indeed blessed. He is so good! I'll admit, more days than usual had me asking for supernatural strength. Jesus held my hand and walked alongside me ... and carried me more often than not.

Another of my favorite verses about God's being my refuge is Psalm 46:1:

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

I have all confidence that God is with me ... always. When I have difficult times, He gives me peace and strength. When I'm rejoicing, He's rejoicing along with me.

He invites me—and you—to crawl onto His lap and seek refuge in His arms.

He really is good!

My Saving Refuge (Psalm 28:8-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 28:8-9

So many times, I have no strength of my own. Chronic illness saps my energy. Poor sleep makes me even groggier than usual (which is pretty groggy ...). Unknowns about the next steps of life's journey cause uncertainty.

Nope. No strength.

How blessed I am that I don't have to rely on my own strength because I serve the all-powerful God of the universe! He is my strength. He is my "saving refuge." I don't have to do this on my own!

I honestly don't know how those who aren't in relationship with God handle life. Really. I don't.

Trying to rely on my own strength (which we've already determined is nonexistent) is impossible. Having to rely on someone else? Well, first, that puts a lot of pressure on that "someone else." Second, what happens when he is out of strength? On whom then can either of us rely?

No. I don't have to be strong on my own nor do I have to rely on another's strength. I serve God, the all-powerful One. The one who gives me strength, who walks alongside me every day ... and carries me when what little strength I have gives out.

The Lord is my strength ... my saving refuge.

Praise Him!

Highs and Lows (Psalm 16:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:1-3

The last few weeks have been a mix of highs (a wonderful 30^th anniversary trip and being a part of our niece’s wedding) and lows (a couple of significant health flare-ups). All—blessings and pain—caused my soul to say to the Lord, "You are my Lord."

I know I've said this before, but I honestly don't know how people survive without a personal relationship with the one true God. Whom do they thank when things go right? And to whom do they run when things go wrong?

As I was mediating on today's verses, I looked at a couple of other paraphrases and translations. I was particularly taken with both The Message and Contemporary English Version's take on verses 1-2:

Keep me safe, O God,I’ve run for dear life to you.I say to God, “Be my Lord!”Without you, nothing makes sense. (MSG)
Protect me, Lord God!I run to you for safety,and I have said,"Only you are my Lord!Every good thing I haveis a gift from you.” (CEV)

Because I know that my loving, gracious, merciful God is in control of my highest highs and lowest lows, I can trust Him to keep me safe and protect me. I can be confident that everything has a purpose.

Indeed, with Him, I can rejoice on the mountaintop and seek refuge in Him in the valleys ... for without Him, nothing does make sense.

God of Mercy (Psalm 59:16-17)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 59:16-17

I’ve memorized several verses that speak to God’s being my refuge, my strength, my burden-bearer. These are my “go-to” verses when everything around me is chaos. I’ve sought these verses frequently in the last few weeks.

Psalm 46:1 reminds me that He is my refuge and help in times of trouble.

Jesus promises to help carry my burden when I’m weary in Matthew 11:28-30.

Paul writes how God’s strength comes through my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

And today’s verses again remind me that God “has been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.”

He indeed is my “God of mercy.”

And I’m so very blessed that I can go to His word and seek His promises.

For strength. For refuge. For rest when I’m weary.

Hope in God's Word (Psalm 119:114)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 119:114

Have you ever read a verse in the Bible, one that you may have read many times, and it touches you in a new and unique way?

I love that. It’s one of my most favorite things about God’s word.

I was reading through the psalms not too long ago and came across this verse that I’ve read many times. It’s been a favorite of mine for a while, and I love to remember that I can hope in God’s word.

But this time, this wonderful psalm showed me two things:

God is my hiding place, a place of refuge, a place where I can hide when I’m scared or lonely or tired. I picture myself crawling up on my Abba’s lap and resting in His arms. What an amazing thought!

God is also my shield, my protector, my strength. He will stand before me when the enemy strikes. When the arrows are flying about me, I can hide behind Him and His word.

Knowing God and understanding His love for me gives me hope.

Knowing that He is there to offer a place of refuge and protection gives me hope.

Spend some time rereading a couple of your favorite verses, and ask God to reveal new truths to your heart. Find hope in His words to you.

My Saving Refuge (Psalm 28:8-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 28:8-9

So many times, I have no strength of my own. Chronic illness saps my energy. Poor sleep makes me even groggier than usual (which is pretty groggy ...). Uncertainty about the next steps of life's journey causes anxiety.

Nope. No strength.

How blessed I am that I don't have to rely on my own strength because I serve the all-powerful God of the universe! He is my strength. He is my "saving refuge." I don't have to do this on my own!

I honestly don't know how those who aren't in relationship with God handle life. Really. I don't.

Trying to rely on my own strength (which we've already determined is nonexistent) is impossible. Having to rely on someone else? Well, first, that puts a lot of pressure on that "someone else." Second, what happens when he is out of strength? On whom then can either of us rely?

No. I don't have to be strong on my own nor do I have to rely on another's strength. I serve God, the all-powerful One. The one who gives me strength, who walks alongside me every day ... and carries me when what little strength I have gives out.

The Lord is my strength ... my saving refuge.

Praise Him!

My Refuge (Psalm 71:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 71:1-3

On more days than I care to admit, I need a refuge. I need Someone stronger than I could ever be. I need a rock, a foundation.

I am so very, very weak. Before I get out of bed each morning, I stretch to alleviate some of the pain that seems to accumulate through the night. Then, more often than not, I say something like, "Lord Jesus, please hold my hand more tightly today. Please be my strength today."

Because of how He's carried me in the past, because He has been trustworthy, I know that He'll save me this day.

One day at a time.

I know when I can't do this thing called life on my own, I can run (figuratively, of course!) to a place of refuge: God Himself. I can "resort continually" to His strong arms. I can stand on the solid rock of His presence and seek shelter in His fortress.

Yes, I am weak. Yes, I have little strength on my own. How very, very blessed I am that I'm not alone. I do have a refuge. I do have a loving God to whom I can go.

Are you feeling a bit weak today? Do you need a place of refuge? Run (or walk ... or even crawl) to the One who will be your strength today.

You Are My Lord (Psalm 16:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:1-3

The last few weeks have been a mix of highs (performing in a fun play with wonderful people) and lows (a couple of significant health flare-ups), and both caused my soul to say to the Lord, "You are my Lord." I was grateful for the times of joy ... and clung to Him through the pain.

I know I've said this before, but I honestly don't know how people survive without a personal relationship with the one true God. Whom do they thank when things go right? And to whom do they run when things go wrong?

As I was mediating on today's verses, I looked at a couple of other paraphrases and translations. I was particularly taken with both The Message and Contemporary English Version's take on verses 1-2:

Keep me safe, O God,
I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
Without you, nothing makes sense (MSG).

Protect me, Lord God!
I run to you for safety,
and I have said,
"Only you are my Lord!
Every good thing I have
is a gift from you” (CEV).

Because I know that my loving, gracious, merciful God is in control of my highest highs and lowest lows, I can trust Him to keep me safe and protect me. I can be confident that everything has a purpose.

Indeed, with Him, I can rejoice on the mountaintop and seek refuge in Him in the valleys ... for without Him, nothing does make sense.

Our Present Help (Psalm 46:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Yesterday, I mentioned Psalm 46:1, and since it begins one of my favorite psalms, I thought, for the next few days, we'd spend some time meditating on its truths, starting with those words that have brought me comfort many, many times:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear …

I love these words. So many times I need a refuge, and God is there. So many mornings, I wake up weak and aching, and God is my strength. Every moment of every day, He is my present help. My present help.

So I never have to fear. Through earthquakes and floods, I don’t have to fear. Through trials and tribulations, I don't have to fear. Through pain and suffering, I don't have to fear.

I don’t know about you, but these words bring me such peace, such hope. On days like today when I have a full schedule grading papers (many of them!) and feel less than well, I know God will be my refuge and strength. He’ll be my shelter, my help.

And so I can move forward with confidence, without fear. So can you.

Our Refuge (Psalm 38:4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 34:8

The last few weeks have been a bit rough ... good, but rough. I'm in another play, which I love. I had the opportunity to speak at three events. I have a full course-load (teaching exclusively online now).

However, I had a three-week "perfect storm": Because of technical problems at work, assignments piled up, and questions and confusion from my students abounded. Then there was tech week and opening weekend for the play. And, of course, fitting in those three wonderful events.

I was beyond weary ...

Praise God, I found my refuge in Him, and I was indeed blessed. He is so good! I'll admit, more days than usual had me asking for supernatural strength. Jesus held my hand and walked alongside me ... and carried me more often than not.

Another of my favorite verses about God's being my refuge is Psalm 46:1:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

A very present help ... I have all confidence that God is with me ... always. When I have difficult times, He gives me peace and strength. When I'm rejoicing, He's rejoicing along with me.

He invites me—and you—to crawl onto His lap and seek refuge in His arms.

He really is good!