The
fact that Jesus is our Rock gives me great comfort (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 71:3). I
know that regardless of how high the tumultuous waters of life's trials rise, God
safely hides us in the cleft of the Rock (Exodus 33:22), which is forever
higher than any flood of adversity that we will ever encounter (Psalm 40:1).
God
teaches us to praise Him through hardship and to thank Him for the difficulty
as well as His blessings. He actually puts songs of praise in our mouth if we
allow Him to do so. When people see how we rejoice in tribulation, it encourages
them to trust God also (Psalm 40:3).
Even
if the circumstances do not change for the better, we find safety in our soul -
our thoughts, feelings and choices - when we symbolically climb up on the Rock.
We are sheltered in His eternal arms and we trust in Him alone, so we are not
afraid (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 56:2-4).
God
defends the helpless and the needy when we are in distress. He gives us shade
from the scorching sun and shelter from the storms of life that continually
pound us with discouragement and ill will (Isaiah 25:4). He is our constant and
present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
It
is wiser to trust in the Lord than to put our hope in people, because they are
human and cannot help but to disappoint us, break their promises to us, and
even reject or abandon us (Psalm 118:8-9). God hears all of our cries and turns
to us. He lifts us out of the quicksand of life and sets our feet on firm
ground (Psalm 40:1-2).
Prayer:
Father
God, our soul finds true rest in You alone. Thank You for serving as our solid,
high Rock in times of adversity. You are our true salvation in every area of
life. With You as our fortress, no enemy that comes against us can penetrate
our safety in You (Psalm 62:1; Psalm 91:2). Thank You for the sovereign
security we find in You as our hiding place (2 Samuel 22:3).
We
are so grateful that You deliver us from calamity and turn every issue around
for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Your name is a strong tower for our
defense, and when we rely on it, we are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Thank You for
keeping us safe at all times (Psalm 16:1). Your precepts and ways are perfect,
Your Word flawlessly helps us (Psalm 18:30).
Thought
for the Day:
We
can taste and see that the Lord is good, and that He continually blesses those
who trust in Him as we sing of His mercy, strength, faithfulness, love and
protection; we abide in our safe place, our happy place, under the shelter of
His wings. -
Psalm 34:8, 59:16, 91:14
