✝️ Daily Devotional - May 30, 2021

💚 Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns. Why not try asking alexa, siri, or google to play it for you?! 

💛 Daily Verse: The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
☆ Psalms 9:9 NLT

💙 Let's Talk About It: In the original text, the word for trouble is not used. Rather, the Hebrew word for extremity is used. The difference is quite considerable.

For instance, extremity in Hebrew means 'a cutting off of hope of deliverance.' What's conveyed in the original text then is not simply trouble, but distress that has intensified to despair.

This psalm then, reminds us that God is our shelter from such. The NASB calls Him our stronghold. In the Hebrew, this word was understood properly as a cliff (or some other lofty place). In a figurative sense, it meant a refuge or defense.

So, this verse could also be translated as 'the Lord is a defense for the oppressed, a defense in times of despair.'

What a joyous revelation it is for us to understand that we cannot save ourselves from despair, but that God can, and He does.

He acts as a shield, going before us, but even more so, He encompasses us, having our six (as my retired military husband would say- meaning our backs), being a lofty place that protects us.

He covers us and ensures no harm comes to us, not permanently anyhow. I don't know about you, but it brings me such peace to know that as long as I walk in step with the Lord, He takes care of all the fine details.

💜 Prayer: Dear God, thank You for being my shelter, the place I run to in times of trouble. I thank You that long before I was born, You planned for every aspect of my life and are even more concerned than I could ever be. I thank You that You care for me, protect me, and love me. Help me to love others with the same attention to detail, showing me how to be Your hands and feet, Jesus. I love You, Lord and give You all the honor, praise, and glory now until forever. In Jesus name I pray, amen.