Today is February 21st

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from Psalm 118:5-14

"5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."

The Psalmist is pouring his heart out to God. He feels hard pressed, surrounded, pushed back, and about to fail. He also has seen the Lord answer him in those places... and he writes “the Lord helped me.” Where is it that you feel overwhelmed, as though you were surrounded by a swarm of bees?

Where do you need the Lord’s help today?

The psalmist is honest about both sides of the coin: he feels hard pressed, he cries to the Lord... and also, the Lord answers, and brings the psalmist into a spacious place. As you hear the passage read again… listen to the rhythm of personal complaint, and God’s answer. Does your own spiritual life ever follow this rhythm?

"5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord…” Think about the things that you take refuge in. Maybe it’s your savings or retirement account, or maybe a trusted friend, or a perhaps you take refuge in something feels protective but is actually harmful—maybe eating or drinking too much. Or maybe isolating from others feels like a safe refuge, but you still feel deep longing for connection. What would it look like for you today to surrender the things you trust in, for God’s refuge? Take a moment now and tell God that you want him to be your refuge in the storm.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music Credit:
Your Love - Vineyard Worship Deaturing Tim Brown (YouTube)