Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 17 – 5-15-20
This Psalm is both a prayer of request for refuge and preservation in the face of our enemies, and a song of praise and worship to the God Who is our refuge, strength, and portion in life. We need to recognize that apart from God we have and are nothing! Many times in the darkest night and hardest of times we are tempted to forget that we belong to God and He is our everything. We can do nothing without Him and without Him we have nothing to offer to this sinful world.
David prays to God from the strength of walking in God’s truth and being faithful to God in the way he lives. Now we know that this was not always true of David and it is not always true of our lives. When we are walking in God’s will and way, it is easier to know and feel that God is there for us and hasn’t abandoned us. Someone once said it this way, if you feel that God is not near and does not hear, who moved? Truly God has promised to always be with us and not forsake us. This doesn’t mean He is always happy with us and or actions and attitudes, but like a parent with a disobedient child, He loves us and is always there for us. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, Psalms 17:6-8 (ESV)
These verses remind me that when I pray to the Lord, He will answer me because of His steadfast love. He truly is the Savior of those who seek refuge in Him. I love the words of comfort and strength that under the shadow of His wings I can take refuge. What a picture for us to hold onto. I remember when my Mother was on her death bed and the whole family was surrounding her, singing together and enjoying the presence of the Lord in a hard time. Mom was so happy to see everyone that she just laid there with a smile on her face wiggling her toes in rhythm with the hymns and songs we were singing together. Every now and again, I would reach up and tug on her toe and remind her that her favorite child was there with her, and she would grin and shake her head as everyone knew that we were all her favorite. When I hear David say to God, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye, I think of God being able to say to each one of us, You are the apple of My eye!
Father, thank you for being my refuge and strength, allowing me to hide in the shadow of Your wings and trust that You love me with a steadfast love! I truly do not deserve to be the apple of Your eye, but I am glad that You have shown Your love for me in ways that will always let me know that I am. May I live in such a way that You are seen as the God I love with all my heart, soul, strength and mind. In Jesus Name, Amen. Pastor Rob
Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 18 – 5-16-20
At some point in David’s running from King Saul, God miraculously provided an escape and victory. This song was written in thanksgiving to God for His deliverance and safety. One of my favorite choruses from my kids Christian school days is found in the verses of this chapter. I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies, I will call upon the Lord. The Lord liveth, and blessed be the Rock, and may the God of my salvation be exalted. I remember the kids would lift their arms and grunt after the words liveth, and Rock. It was worship of God’s strength and power of protection and salvation!
This is a long chapter as David could not stop worshiping God for all He had done in protecting, providing and delivering him from his enemies. Do You feel overrun, maybe things seem so far out of control that you can’t see a way through. You need to read this chapter and begin thanking God ahead of time for the way He has taken care of you. How many times has God delivered you from tragedy and trouble. We will never know this side of heaven. Trust that He is Your Rock, Your Salvation, Your Deliverer. One of our favorite choruses at Hobart is “God Will Make a Way”. God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will be my Guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way!
Father, thank You for being my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Salvation, in Whom I can trust. Help me never to lose sight of Who You are and what You have done and will do for me. Make a way for me today! In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob