Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 11-12 – 5-8&9-20

Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 11 – 5-8-20

   How is it that I can trust and take refuge in the Lord?  How can I know that He will always be there for me?  David can answer these questions with authority and conviction because he had hid in caves, run for his life, been on the wrong side of God’s judgment, and still in every situation, the Lord had been there for him.  Oh, he didn’t always feel that way at the time, but in the end he knew God’s love, grace, forgiveness and presence in his life. 

   This chapter may be one of the most special during this “stay at home” time.  Psalms 11:3        If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”(NAS)  We probably all feel as if God is distant or lost control.  The first verse reminds us that we can take refuge in the Lord even when we want to run.  It may seem that the enemy is ready to take us out, but God is our refuge.  Psalms 11:4      The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.(NAS)  This is the verse that the Lord laid on my heart today.  Isn’t it great that in it all, the Lord is still in His temple, and on His throne!  GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!  I hope that I never lose sight that no matter what happens or how I feel in the moment, God is in control.  When leaders and laws in this world change, God is in control.  When situations are beyond my control, God is in control.  No matter if I can make it to church, His Son my Savior, ever lives to make intercession for me.  He is still in His temple and on His throne.  Whenever I feel like God has forsaken me, by faith I know that He will never leave me or forsake me.  If I know that I have failed Him, His forgiveness and grace is there for me.

   In verse 7 I am reminded that the Lord is righteous, loves righteousness, and one day I will see His face!  What a promise!  I am not righteous or upright in myself, but I have His Holy Spirit living in me and He makes me righteous by the precious blood of Christ.  He brings forgiveness and gives me the righteousness of Christ to wear.  I can live in His power knowing that one day, I will see His face.  All this because God is in His temple and on His throne!  God is in control. 

   Father, forgive me for losing my faith in Your presence and power in my life.  I forget that You have given me Your Holy Spirit to always remain with me and remind me that God is in control.  I so look forward to the day when I can see You face to face and live forever in Your Presence.  Until that day, may I always have faith that You are in Your temple and on Your throne!  In Jesus Name, Amen!  Pastor Rob

Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 12 – 5-9-20

   Many times in David’s life, He knew the pain of betrayal.  His own people gave him up to Saul.  His own son, Absalom betrayed him in his own court.  The very leaders he trusted in his life spoke ill of him behind his back and led the nation against him.  Oh how painful to know the lying lips and slandering tongue that destroys our hearts.  Where can we find comfort and strength to carry on? 

   Psalms 12:5-7, 5  “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”6   The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. 7 Thou, O LORD, wilt keep them; Thou wilt preserve him from this generation forever.(NAS)  How precious are the promises and words of the Lord to our hearts.  I need to remember that His Word can meet my needs.  His promises will be kept and I can trust in the Word of the Lord.  He truly hears the cries of the oppressed, afflicted and needy.  When I am at my lowest, His grace and strength is at It’s highest.  Truly I can trust in His Word and never doubt that He who has promised is Faithful!

   The picture of the refining of God’s Word, like silver 7 times in the fire; truly His Word is pure and true.  It is because of this that I trust in His promises.  I know that God will keep His Word and in so doing His promises are mine.  “Every Promise in the book is mine, every chapter, every verse, every line.  Oh what blessings of His love divine every promise in the book is mine.”  God will preserve me from this generation forever.  His promise is eternal and His Word lasts forever!

   Father, truly, when I am afraid, I can trust in You.  Your Word is my strength and my shield.  Thank you for all the pure truth and promises that are mine by faith in the Lord.  Help me to always turn to Your word to find truth.  Your lips have never failed me and Your Truth will carry me through.  In Jesus Name, Amen!  Pastor Rob