Devotional of the week: The God of Refuge (6 in ‘Fear Not’ series)

Artemisia Gentileschi, Public domain

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27 (NIV)

King David, as the accepted author of many of the Psalms, reveals in them his great faith in God that was forged through lots of adversities. For example, he was on the run from his best friend’s dad, King Saul, who became jealous of his popularity with the people. After Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, David faced other challenges as King of Israel and Judah, namely his people’s enemies such as the Philistines and the Moabites.

Some of David’s trials were self-created, however. Such as one spring, when other kings were off fighting wars but he stayed home, to rest and take it easy. The beautiful wife of one of his army men catches his eye and he commits adultery with her. When she becomes pregnant, he has her husband killed in war. Psalm 51 is his heart-rending cry of repentance.

The psalm we read this week is a confident affirmation of God’s presence in his life. David knows he need not fear the arrow that flies by day nor the terror of the night, for God is with him. The Lord is his light and salvation; the Lord is his place of refuge and protection.

Echoing David’s songs of trust and faith to the Lord may not feel natural at first. We might struggle to believe that the Lord will light our way or set us in a spacious place. But as we relinquish more of what we claim as ours over to him, we see how he leads us – and how he gives us back in abundance. Our faith grows and we can affirm with David that we will dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives.

What rooms can you invite the Lord to inhabit today?

Prayer: Father God, we know that you are a jealous God, and that you want all of us. Help us to live wholly for you.