Daily Devotions – The strength of the Lord

Daily Devotions – The strength of the Lord

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Psalm 46 NIV
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

The New Testament usually applies promises for Israel to the church. What forces threaten the church today?

 

Lord God, You are my refuge and strength. Although it looks like evil has overcome the world, You have overcome evil. I pray for the church. Instead of boldly proclaiming Your mighty power of love and truth, the church has submitted itself to the pressure of society. The church has replaced faith with fear. Allow the church to love again.  Lord, give the church Your vision. We can only see in part, but You see the entire picture.  I can see the mountains, but You see the mountains moved. I see the cross but You see the empty tomb. If You are in the church, it will not fail. I can trust You because You love the church and You love me. You are our fortress and strength. Bad things may happen in the world, but You shield us with Your Spirit. Lord, please dwell in our church today. Lord, dwell in my heart and give me Your confidence and peace. Let me be still and know that You are God. No evil that surrounds me can destroy the promise of salvation for eternity. Let the church be the place that shares the confidence of Your salvation to overcome the fears of this world. Take away my fears, dear Jesus. You are God. You are my fortress and my protection. In You I trust. I pray that You strengthen Your church to stand against the evil in this world and to be a beacon of Your love and a place where people can find Your strength. Amen