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Reading: Psalm 115
(Verses 9-18)
All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.
May the LORD cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to the place of silence;
it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD (NIV).*
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Reflection
As a sharp contrast to placing our trust in the lifeless idols of this world, Psalm 115 calls us to place our trust in God. Today’s reading begins with a threefold call to trust the LORD. All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield.
For those who are logically minded, there is a simple equation or formula at work here. Trust in the LORD results in help and protection—he is their help and shield. Our trust or faith in God brings a response from Him. The LORD’s response is both active and passive. He provides help; He intervenes by actively assisting us. From personal experience I know the LORD has been my help. In the nick of time, He has provided words of knowledge and wisdom. He has been my constant guide. When needed most, He has opened the windows of heaven and poured out blessings. He has sent help in various forms, and in ways too numerous to mention.
But the LORD is also our shield. He protects us from the slings and arrows of the evil one. He shields us from the enemy’s attacks, whether it is from physical harm and disease, or spiritual attacks that undermine our faith through faulty reasoning or deceptive philosophies. The LORD is our sure defense. We can draw strength from this promise: He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.
Response: Father God, I trust you to be my help and my shield. Keep me safe from the evil one. Thank you for all your help through the years. You have been faithful to keep your word. Amen.
Your Turn: Can you think of instances when God has helped you? What has He shielded you from recently?
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.
It is as simple as I am here today thanks to His shield over me, praise Almighty God! Through my times of health issues He carries me through.
After this year of heart failure and surgery I can add my own “amen” to your statement.
You certainly had a time of it David, but praise God He was in it all and in control at all times.
God has helped and protected me numerous times, from events that could have been totally disastrous, from leaving a pot on the stove all night long, while at work and no one to turn it off, and being able to simply open all the windows and doors to get rid of the smoke, only a blackened pot, not fit for use any more, to moving into a lane on the highway, after I thought I had checked my blind spot properly, only to have a car zoomed by, missing my car by inches….would have been a certain disaster; I just know it was God’s shield covering me, that and many other incidences.
So that you just know, that you know, it was GOD’S mighty hand, protecting and shielding me, from certain disaster. I am so grateful for his Almighty protection and shield.
Hallelujah, Amen.
Amen! God’s gracious protection is soooo amazing!
The path that I have taken through life should be paved with Ebenezers that mark the places that God has brought me to and through. “Her I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by Thy help, I’ve come.” -Come thou Fount of Every Blessing” – Robert Robinson
Well said, Wally. He is our help and protector!
Amen
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