Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Opening Scripture

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God. Psalm 31:1-5

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy, your protection and provision, your comfort and healing. Help me to trust you in all things and orient my life toward you today. May my mind’s attention and heart’s affection be on you. Guide my choices and direct my decisions for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 27

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? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Reflection  

In today’s passage, King David has a much more confident tone. It seems that he is secure in the promise God made to him in 2 Samuel 7 through the prophet Nathan.

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.

“Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever’”

Even during a time of relative peace for the nation of Israel, as king, David continually faced the many challenges of ruling God’s people. Political rivals and supply chain issues are nothing new. David was constantly aware of his enemies’ active attempts to undermine him. There’s a hint of Psalm 23 here, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

David again expresses the truth that the greatest protection, comfort, and blessing he can experience is being in God’s presence. “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.”

More than the fortified walls around Jerusalem, more than the stronghold of the palace, more than the army under his command, King David knew that his ultimate security was in Almighty God. He also understood the need for patience. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Time after time – in the face of personal threats, deep frustration, and malicious slander – David demonstrated restraint and forbearance by choosing to trust Yahweh to sort things out, rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Here’s how Eugene Peterson translates Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.” Ah, the blessing of forbearance.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

In today’s passage, David begins by expressing the same confident tone Paul uses in Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Then, toward the end, he pleads with God, “Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger; do not reject me or forsake me.”

If we’re honest, we all vacillate at times between faith and doubt. Like David, we go through seasons where our faith is strong, and we feel secure in God’s provision. Then, there are seasons where our faith is weak, and we question God’s sufficiency.

Perhaps, like Peter in a moment of inspiration, we focus solely on Jesus and “step out of the boat” – confident that, in Him, all things are possible. Then, seeing the storm around us, we shift our attention to the wind and waves and “begin to sink,” crying out, “Lord, save me!”

More often, though, I suspect we’re like the father of the demon-possessed boy, who said to Jesus, “Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

Are you in a season of renewed faith? Thank God for it.

Are you in a season of nagging doubt? Talk to God about it.

Like the Apostle Paul (and King David in his best moments), may we be able to say,

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Amen.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!