Psalm 28 The Lord is My Strength and My Shield

The greatest benefit I enjoy in my Christian faith is that I don't walk alone through life. My God is with me in the joys of life and he is with me in my darkest moments. I can talk to my God about my problems and he will listen to me. God not only listens to me, but he also speaks to me offering encouragement, guidance, and counsel. Silence from God is a sign of judgment or displeasure. In Psalm 28, David indicates to God that his silence may cause him to become like the unbelievers around him when he cries out for mercy.

Despite the fact that I know that God is with me, I don't just bring out a laundry list for God to get to work. Neither David came to God with an attitude of demand. He would lift up his hands and worship as he approached God with his plea. I can't forget that God is worthy of worship and adoration. I must give him the glory and honor he deserves under all circumstances of life. In fact, David's description of unbelievers is that "they do not regard the works of the Lord or the works of his hands." As a believer, I am called to remember that I am approaching the Creator of all things including my own life.

I can't understand how the unbeliever lives life without God. It seems to me that the difficulties and disappointments of life are enough for me to need someone who can stand with me. It is good to have friends, but friends are not always with you. God is always with me. His presence is available 24/7 without interruption. He does not slumber or sleep and has no need of anything.

The strength I need to get through life comes from my God. I suppose one can muster strength from other sources to get through life, but this is precisely what idolatry is all about. God does not desire that I seek other sources. He wants to be the one and only source because he is my Creator. "The Lord is the strength of his people." In times of need, I can take refuge in him. "In him my heart trusts." For this reason, I can live my life in thanksgiving to him.

Father, you are my strength and shield. You are my refuge and shepherd of my soul. To you I run every day all the day long to seek help. Thanks for your presence and for listening my cry. Amen.

Psalm 18 The Lord is for Us!

As I read this long song of celebration for victory over enemies, I could not help myself from looking for God's qualities that inspired David to write it. David, after a long time of persecution and unjust treatment by many, finally enjoys justice. His enemies have been taken care of in one way or another and David celebrates his victory with all his heart.

What is God for me in the midst of my battle? For David it was literal enemies, but for me, I know that I don't battle against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness. In my battle of faith, how does the Lord show himself on my behalf? David calls the Lord "my strength." In the midst of battle when my strength seems to fail, God sustains me - he is my strength. It is important to note how personal David gets with God and this is how I should pursue him - as MY GOD! Sometimes I want to battle on my own strength and forget about the endless supply of strength I have in my God. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."(Phil.4:13)

God is "my rock." Rock is a solid foundation that cannot be moved as opposed to sand that shifts very easily. God is the foundation of my life and nothing can move me from my stand to serve my God. Obedience to his commands places me on a solid foundation that no enemy of mine can move.

God is "my fortress." A fortress is a place of refuge from danger and distress. God serves as my refuge. In the battle of faith, God's presence is the place where I desire to be. In his presence there is cover from the dangers of the battle. An oasis for the soul to recover and replenish.

God is "my deliverer." When the enemy has an upper hand upon my life, the Lord comes through and delivers me from his hand. The implication here is to save or to rescue. It means my life is in danger and needs the intervention of someone to get me out because I can't do it on my own.

God is "my shield." In the heat of battle when the enemy is pursuing with arrow shots, the shield serves as protection against those shots. The shield functions by standing between the shot and the body and preventing any harm to the body. My God stands in the way of the shots of my enemy and prevents any harm to my soul.

God is "my salvation." Salvation also implies rescue. When my life is in danger, God is my salvation. But I can't forget that the salvation implied here is not just of my physical life. Actually, I may not be saved in this life from becoming a martyr, but it is the salvation of my soul. God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that all who believe in him shall be saved. I have eternal life through the salvation God has brought forth for me.

God is "my stronghold." A stronghold is a strategic place that has been fortified for battle. God is not only my refuge when I need to get away from battle for a breather, but he is in the midst of battle with me as I wage battle day by day against my foes.

Father, may I constantly seek you and rely on you in the midst of battle. When I feel faint, may I be reminded that you are there for me as my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my salvation, and my stronghold. In you I find refuge! Amen.

Psalm 2:11-12 Take Refuge

While I was living in Puerto Rico, during one hurricane season, a flood ensued due to much rain. I was driving at the time and I noticed that down the road a flow of water was coming my way dragging cars and whatever else along the way. I had the opportunity to turn away from the flood by getting on the sidewalk and a gravel patch to climb to higher ground and take refuge until the flood subsided. I was safe because I took refuge.

We are living in very uncertain times. The economy, the war, and the healthcare reform have everyone talking about what it will be. Unfortunately, many look up to our President as the one who can provide the certainty we need in life and ignore the true ruler who can be a true refuge for our lives despite the circumstances. Psalm 2 is a song with lyrics that uncover the plot of the nations to overthrow Israel and proclaims its Messiah as the only true refuge in times of uncertainty.

Jesus, the Messiah, our King is the only refuge. But for him to be our refuge, we must submit to him as our King and worship him. We must serve him wholeheartedly as the only ruler of our lives. Jesus, the Anointed One, came into the world to become the ruler of all nations, and not just of our individual souls. One day, he will sit on a throne above all nations and those who made him their refuge will rejoice with him. Unfortunately, those who reject him as King will be judged by him.

"Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Let's take refuge in Jesus!

Father, grant me the heart's desire to make your Son my refuge. Fill me with your Spirit to submit to his rule, worship him with joy, and serve him with all my strength. Amen.

Joshua 20 The Cities of Refuge

The promised land would be characterized by justice. God Almighty, the God of justice, would ensure that his people living in the land he promised would be protected from the evils of the worldly justice that prevailed at the time. Ancient Near Eastern custom would allow people to take revenge for any wrongdoing against them or their family. Unfortunately, at times, vengeance could be exacted without any proof. On top of that, revenge at times spilled over to the whole family of the guilty party, taking innocent lives.

The cities of refuge were designed to counter the oppression of a worldly justice. If a person killed someone, they could run to the nearest city to take refuge from certain death in the hands of the relative seeking vengeance (the avenger of blood). The priest would set up a hearing to determine if it was murder or manslaughter. At least three witnesses were required to be able to find a person guilty of murder (premeditated killing). Capital punishment was the sentence for murder. If manslaughter (accidental death), then the person was required to live in the city of refuge until the death of the presiding priest. At that time, he would be set free.

Many argue that the cities of refuge were not a system of courts or prisons, but places of atonement. Though we can't deny that there is a little of everything, the cities of refuge were mainly a place to find protection from the world and cleansing for unintentional sin. I believe it is a type of Christ our Redeemer. Where can we find refuge for our souls from the ravages of sin? It is in Jesus! Where can we find cleansing for our sin that weighs us down? It is in the powerful blood of Jesus! Who can we run to in our hour of need? It is Jesus our Lord!

Then like today, our God established a system to benefit his people. It is his people's responsibility to take advantage of God's provision. Cities of refuge were available, but people had to run to it to enjoy its benefits. Today, Jesus is waiting with arms wide open to embrace those who run to him. He is the city that provides refuge. He is the sacrifice that cleanses all sin. He is the high priest who offers his life to confer freedom.

What am I waiting for? Why don't I run to the arms of the one who loves me and promises to protect me? Why do I take my chances hiding on my own, exposing my life to the avenger of blood, the accuser of my soul? Why do I continue to carry the weight of my guilt and shame when there is provision for cleansing and freedom? Run, my soul! Run to your refuge! Run, my soul! Run to his embrace! It is in Jesus where I find mercy and grace.

Father, help me to stop hiding on my own. Guide me to the arms of Jesus every time I sin. Thank you for your forgiveness. May your justice prevail forevermore! Amen.

Joshua 8:30-35 Joshua Renews the Covenant

Covenant renewal was a significant practice among the Israelites. Covenant renewal is a time to read, remember, and reflect upon God's Law. Renewal is required to extend the life of Israel's relationship with God. Renewal is necessary to avoid stagnation, lack of growth, and eventual death.

The place of the renewal on this occasion is significant. Picture the whole area. Shechem is a valley with Mount Ebal on the North and Mount Gerizim on the South. The ark of the covenant was to be held between representatives of the tribes of Israel on both its sides. Half of them facing Mount Ebal, and the other half facing Mount Gerizim. 

The reading of the Law was an essential element in the covenant renewal. In God's presence they read his Law. The Law is to rule faith and life altogether. The Scriptures are my rule for faith and life. I must be committed to read and study it all the days of my life. Covenant renewal requires a commitment to God's Word. 

As the Law is read, the people remember God's great deeds. How God called them out of Egypt and into the promised land. Moreover, the remembrance of the mighty acts of God on behalf his people to make it all possible must be recalled. The strength, smarts, and strategies of the people did not bring them into the land, but the mighty hand of God. I must commit to remember what God has done for me. How he rescued my life from utter darkness. How he has given me abundant life. True covenant renewal requires me to remember where I come from and how God brought me out of it.

Finally, covenant renewal requires reflection. The geography itself helped the Israelites on this. Mount Ebal was stony and barren, representative of the curses for violating the covenant. Mount Gerizim was covered with trees and fruitful, representative of the blessings for keeping the covenant. It is also significant that the valley between the two mountains is a Levitical city of refuge. The place to run when one is in trouble. 

Father, I desire to renew my covenant with you. May your word be a priority in my life. May I remember what you have done for me. May I reflect on the blessings for keeping the covenant and the curses for breaking it. Be my refuge in times of need.