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I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Tag Archives: refuge

Standing My Ground

23 Monday Jan 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 11, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

believers, faith, Jesus, refuge

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Psalm 11 -365
Reading: Psalm 11

LORD God,
you are my refuge.
Help me to stand my ground
when my faith is under attack
and help other believers to do the same
by the grace of Jesus.
Our faith rests on you, Lord.
Amen.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

Start 2023 with a new devotional series. Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild, and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. Start 2023 with a new devotional series. To purchase or for a closer look click here.
Vol III 2021-07-17 at 8.15.36 AM

In Treacherous Times

29 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 141, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Advent, opposition, refuge, snares, traps

Reading: Psalm 141:6-10
Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety (NIV). *

img_20220218_1033440

Photo by David Kitz

Reflection
King David lived in treacherous times, and the opening lines from today’s reading reflect that reality. In fact, in its entirety Psalm 141 is a prayer for protection and personal safety. David had enemies who were eager to see his demise.

On a personal level the same is true for every redeemed believer. The apostle Peter provides us with this reminder: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Our very survival depends on heeding Peter’s advice.

David pleads for safety from the traps and snares that have been set for him. This brings to mind the word circumspect. As we move forward in life, we should be alert and circumspect. Circumspect is actually a compound Latin word. The circum portion of the word means around, or literally in a circle. The spect portion of the word means to look or see; this is the root for words such as spectacle or inspect. The circumspect person is looking around, so he does not step into the snares of the enemy.

But if we are truly circumspect, we don’t only look down for snares and traps. It is essential that we also look up. David expresses this thought with these words. But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

The writer of Hebrews urges us on in our faith with these words: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3).

During this Advent season, when we reflect on Christ’s coming, we need eyes that are fixed on him. He knows where the snares are, and he is well able to deliver us from the jaws of the enemy.

Response: Sovereign LORD, I commit my thoughts and ways to you. Guide me in the way of holiness for your name’s sake. I fix my eyes on you, Jesus, babe in a manger, suffering Savior, and my risen Lord. Amen.

Your Turn: How alert are you to the devil’s tactics? What do you do to fix your eyes on Jesus?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Please pray for the people of Ukraine!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.
Vol III 2021-07-17 at 8.15.36 AM

The Most High Is My Dwelling Place

12 Saturday Feb 2022

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 91

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

angels, lion, refuge, serpent

I will praise the LORD!

img_20211007_1104019

Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park — photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 91:9-13

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award and for those who love God’s word, it’s an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

You Will Find Refuge

06 Sunday Feb 2022

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 91

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

faithfulness of God, plague, refuge

I will praise the LORD!

img_20210816_1145495

Trail side wild flowers — photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 91:3-8

Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award and for those who love God’s word, it’s an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

The Importance of a Place of Refuge

27 Wednesday Oct 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 31, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

fortress, refuge, rock of refuge, trust in God

Reading: Psalm 31:1-5
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, L
ORD, my faithful God (NIV).*

img_20211017_0816110

A place of quiet refuge — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
We all need a place of refuge. Here as David begins Psalm 31, he pleads with God to hear him, and become a rock of refuge for him. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

David spent many of his early years fleeing from King Saul. At other times, the Philistines were a threat. There were many occasions in which David needed a fortress—a rock of refuge from his enemies. Often, he found himself calling out for the LORD to rescue him.

Are we any different? We may not have physical enemies who are seeking to kill us, but in the spiritual realm the demonic forces of hell are constantly seeking opportunities to trip us up, so they can launch their vicious assault. Trouble and affliction come to every human life. We are not immune simply because we have put our faith in Christ. We too need a safe place—a rock of refuge.

But the rock to which we flee is not an inanimate object, fixed and unmoving. No, we come to the living rock which is Christ. He travels with us on this earthly pilgrimage. The apostle, Paul reminds us that even the people of Israel wandering in the wilderness were not alone. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4). 

The veins of that rock were opened wide for us. Jesus bled and died so we could experience new life and complete forgiveness. As he hung dying, Jesus called out to his Father with the words of this psalm, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” Now daily that living rock accompanies you. He is the fount of forgiveness and a sure refuge in a time of need. Have you put your trust in him for your salvation now and in eternity?

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus. You alone are my rock and my eternal fortress. Guide my spirit into the right path today. Keep me safe from the traps of the enemy. I trust in you. Amen.

Your Turn: Is Jesus your living rock? Why is the analogy of Jesus as a rock a comfort to you?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.

From Birth I Have Relied on You

28 Saturday Aug 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 71

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

confidence in God, fortress, refuge, rock of refuge, Sovereign LORD

I will praise the LORD!

img_20210816_1145495

Trail-side wild flowers — photo by David Kitz

(Psalm 71:1-8, NIV)*

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
    my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
    I will ever praise you.
I have become a sign to many;
    you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor all day long.

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Volume III of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

In the Shelter of Your Wings

29 Saturday May 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 61

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

faithfulness, heritage, praise the LORD, refuge

I will praise the LORD!

Gulf of St. Lawrence at sunset — photo by David Kitz

I long to dwell in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you, God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Increase the days of the king’s life,
    his years for many generations.
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
    and fulfill my vows day after day.

(Psalm 61:4-8, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

The Rock that Is Higher than I

23 Sunday May 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 61, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Prayer, refuge, Rock, strong tower

I will praise the LORD!

Perce1

Perce, Quebec — photo by David Kitz

Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the foe.

(Psalm 61:1-3, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

The One on Whom I Rely

22 Saturday May 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 59, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

fortress, praising God, refuge, strength

I will praise the LORD!

symmetrical photography of clouds covered blue sky

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.

(Psalm 59:16-17, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

Take Refuge in the LORD

18 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 118, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

God is our refuge and strength, refuge, salvation, trust in God

I will praise the LORD!

2019-06-21It is better to take refuge in the LORD
    than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
    than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
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.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.

(Psalm 118:8-14, NIV)*

* 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.

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