Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
There was a time when our kids held on to us for dear life in scary situations. Now, they have kids who hold on to them! But, I will never forget our rainy camping trip in Missouri years ago when they were much younger. The rain came down so hard one day that camping ceased to be fun. “Let’s take the kids to a movie”, we said, “that will be less scary than being in a camper with lightening and thunder all around us!”
We closed up the camper and drove into town. We found a movie theater by cruising main street, (what you did before there was Siri). We got out of the car with three kids in tow and ran through the rain. We took refuge inside the theater. We discovered that a Disney movie was playing…Yes!
“The Fox and the Hound” sounds wonderful right? It was until the scene in the middle of the movie when a wild animal jumped loudly out the bushes to devour his prey. That scene caused our youngest to literally jump from her seat, landing squarely on her dad’s lap. She held on for dear life throughout the rest of the movie. I thought we might have to leave the movie early but dad’s arms kept her calm for rest of the movie which gave us all a happy ending.
Our next Psalm tells how God keeps us close to Him as we hold on for dear life. The words are beautiful and reassuring to all who believe and follow Him. We all have had moments when we, too, say,
“God, you’re my refuge, I trust in you and I’m safe!”
Like our youngest held tightly to her dad, we hold tightly to our Father in heaven in times of fear or trouble because of His promises to us:
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of trouble.”
Psalm 91, The Message
1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you’re perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
14-16 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!”
HEART CHECK:
Our youngest’s first instinct was to run to Dad and hold on for dear life. As believers what is our first instinct or action in times of trouble and fear?
Who do you trust…seriously?
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are our refuge, our hiding place, our place of rest from battling evil. You are who we hold onto for dear life! You are Life. Forever. Thank you! Yes! I will continue to get to know you until we are face to face in your glorious place of forever refuge for all who believe and trust in You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 