Psalm

God is Our Refuge

Psalm 91:3-7 “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”

We find refuge in our God.  His shadow covers our frame.  He is our sheltering Father, who protects us from traps, diseases, and destruction.  Evil tries to ensnare us; His faithfulness shields us from arrows of devastation. He delivers us from evil. He rescues us with His love.

“The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me.    I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.’” (Psalm 91:14-16)

Photo: Albatros, New Zealandimg_3763_crop

Great is His Faithfulness 

Psalms 36:5   “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

Hebrews 10:23   “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

Our faith is set firmly in God’s faithfulness.  We serve a faithful God who fulfills His promises.  His faithfulness extends into heavenly realms. Look heavenward and dwell on God’s faithfulness.  We can rely on Him for our eternal hope and daily deliverance. His steadfast love fills us. His Spirit faithfully calls us His children.  Our hope is assured.  God’s faithfulness is great.  

Photo: Georgetown, TX

Rescue and Restore 

Psalm 30:1-2, 5  “I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.  O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health….

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

When we come to the edge of ourselves: night darkens around our sorrows, our enemies close in on us, our health fails us….we need to claim God’s promises that He RESCUES and RESTORES us.  He will not let our enemies prevail. He refuses to let ego or evil win.  Our weeping will last only a night.  Our joy comes with the morning.  Arise in the morning with the joy of the Lord as your strength to defeat earthly sorrows, conquer enemies, receive healing and be restored by the Spirit of our Living God! 

Photo: St. John’s, US Virgin Islands

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The Pursuit 

Psalm 23:6  Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life

Ask God to pursue you with His love.  Ask Him to show up in amazing, surprising, awe-inspiring ways that reveal His heart for you.  See His beautiful goodness and loving compassion everywhere in your life.  Ask Him for eyes to see the manifestations of His love.  Thank Him for revealing His love for you. He finds you and loves you right where you are.  Your beauty unfolds in His love.  Cherish God’s chase after your heart.  He relentlessly, lovingly pursues you, His beloved, beautiful creation.  

Photo: Park City, Utah 

 

Soulful Rest

Psalm 62:1

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. (NIV)

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. (NLT)

When we cease striving, and we rest in quiet, patient trust in God, we experience the victory of His salvation.  God already has done the hard work of salvation.  We can rest in His provision of grace.  Our souls were created to rest in the Lord.  Find time to rest with your Creator.  

Photo: Rockport, TX 

 

Everything belongs to God

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,  the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1)

It is hard for us to conceive EVERYTHING belongs to God, but it does!  Our possessions, our body, our relationships… they all belong to God, and He graciously allows you to enjoy them and entrusts you to care for them.  He is the Giver of all things, in Heaven and on Earth.  This frees us to enjoy, trust and generously share ALL God has given us.  Look around and give gratitude that everything around you comes from God.  The Giver of Life loves to abundantly share with you. 

Photo: US Virgin Islands  

Radiant, Warm Light 

Psalm 56:13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. 

We walk into the light, where God is.  We encounter God in the light. His warm presence invites us to follow Him into His radiant light.  He shines His light of truth and love into our dark spaces, when we come to Him.  He delivers us from doubt, despair, stumbling, quitting and death.  His healing light breaks forth and eclipses the darkness with His light.  Hallelujah, we are children of the light! 

Photo: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands 

 

God Satisifies Us 

Psalm 107:8-9  Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Tell God you are thirsty for Him and be filled with  the holy water of His living Spirit.  Tell God you are hungry for Him and be satisfied with His goodness.  God wants you to tell Him your needs, and then He wants you to share your story of how you came to Him in your neediness and He fulfilled you.  Your life is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God’s unfailing love. He will satisfy your thirst and hunger with holy and good things.  You will live to tell of His goodness. 

Photo: St. John, US Virgin Islands 

 

Through Valleys 

Psalm 23:4

Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.

God walks beside you in the dark places of life; He stands strong beside you in the valleys.  He fortifies you to keep walking through the darkest valleys.  He protects you from enemies of fear, and comforts you from all adversity.  He guides you securely with His rod of protection and staff of strength.  Believe the good Shepherd protects and comforts you.  

Photo: Iceland Highlands 

 

Pleasing Meditations and Harmonious Heartbeats 

Psalm 19:14  May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

When we speak to others with love and patience, and we think on the generosity and power of God, we are worshiping and pleasing our Lord. When we encourage others in faith, when we marvel at the beauty of nature, and when we find joy simply being in God’s presence, we are engaging in spiritual acts of worship.  When our words and thoughts reflect our loving Creator and Redeemer, we are in unity with God.  God truly cares about our hearts’ meditations and minds’ preoccupations. God redeems us from unproductive speech and unrighteous  thoughts; He transforms us with His pure and powerful Spirit of grace, and He unites us with love. Pray God aligns our mouths and hearts with His, so our words and thoughts are acceptable and lovely to God.  May our very heartbeats be in harmony with God!  

Photo: Yosemite National Park