5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord.”
Psalm 9:9-10 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are never alone in a time of trouble? Isn’t it great to realize that our God is a refuge to us, and to know that He will never abandon us?
But, what does that mean?
It doesn’t mean that we can run to Him and be protected from anything bad. In life, bad things are just going to happen. The Psalmist would heartily agree to that.
When we talk of the Lord as our refuge, it means that we run to Him in prayer and the Word to find the respite we need.
Shortly after Kim and I moved our family to Murray, Kentucky almost 7 years ago, Kim was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and, shortly thereafter, colon pre-cancer. Our world was quite literally turned upside down. The financial, emotional, physical trauma, along with everything else we were dealing with threatened to undo us. Quite literally, there were times when we were hanging by a thread.
That tragic time in our lives caused us to fall to our knees and cry out to the Lord in prayer. As we walked through the doctor’s appointments and surgeries, and accumulated a boatload of debt, we discovered that the Lord was giving us perspective and strength. We found things to be thankful for. We realized that certain circumstances were timed so beautifully that it was as if we literally saw God’s fingerprints. While God, as our refuge, didn’t protect us from the tragedy, He gave us what we needed to walk through and survive such a dark time in our life.
Essentially, that also illustrates the last part of our verses for today. The Lord gave us the ability to trust in Him and then He periodically rewarded our trust with tangible blessings.
Friend, life can be difficult. In fact, life sometimes stinks really bad. But the Lord desires for us to run to Him and find all that we need to survive and thrive during the difficulties.
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Lord Jesus, thank You so much that You are my refuge in a time of trouble. Life gets tough and I’m so glad that I’m not going through it alone. I am so grateful that You are walking through it with me. Help me to trust and rest in You even more. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 