Psalm 94 - 5.25.26

Scripture

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.”

Observation

The author of this psalm is crying out to God for justice. The author sees all the wickedness running rampant everywhere. But throughout all the chaos and evil that is going on all around, the psalmist knows that God sees it ALL. And instead of taking matters in his own hands, the psalmist decides to trust in God’s timing and judgment. The psalmist’s faith and confidence is in God. He knows that God will protect His people, and bring judgment upon the wicked.

Application

The Lord my God is the only protection I need.

Many of us out there invest in things that make us feel safe. We install cameras around our house. We will get a HUGE guard dog. We will invest in self-defense classes. Some of us will even buy all sorts of weapons to protect ourselves from possible intruders. And who could blame us?! It’s a crazy world out there! Just turn on the local evening news and you’ll see in the first 10 minutes of watching. But what I love about this psalm here, is that despite the craziness and lawlessness that was going on at the time, the psalmist chooses to trust in God’s divine justice. The psalmist knows that God is in control. He knows God is sovereign over it all. The psalmist knows that God will protect those who trust in Him and obey His ways. 

So, no matter how scary it is out there in this world, take heart! Trust in God’s unfailing love for His people. Let Him be our anchor, our rock that we can lean on. Allow Him to be our impenetrable fortress where we take refuge.

“The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭14‬ ‭

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ 

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ 

Prayer

Father God, it is in You who I trust. You are my rock, my redeemer, my strength, and my shield. There is nothing too big or too small that You can’t handle. So no matter what comes my way today, I know that You are with me. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for guiding my path. May You give me the strength to stay the course and stay covered in the blanket of Your protection. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm 91 - 5.22.26

Scripture: Psalm 91 1-6

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Observation

This magnificent Psalm is our assurance of God’s protection, comfort and care from Yahweh. God has a secret place for His own and it is a place to live in.

Psalm 27:5 - 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.

Psalm 31:20 - In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.

Psalm 63:7 - Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

There are many followers of Jesus Christ who seem to know very little of the secret place of the Most High or what it is to abide under His shadow.

Application

I have been reading Psalm 91 my whole life. Still to this day when I read it, I feel calm and protected. I spent a good portion of my 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s living with an abusive husband whom I didn’t feel safe with. But I would get alone and dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I would rest under the shadow of His wings. He was my refuge and my fortress.

When Covid overwhelmed the world, I was living alone after losing my second husband Michael to Diabetes. I felt so much fear and anxiety about this sickness, but I would end every night reading Psalm 91 and feeling God’s Peace rest upon me. God was in control and He was watching over me.

I encourage you to find a quiet place to dwell with the Most High. Climb up in His lap and rest under the shadow of His wings. He is waiting for you in His secret place.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

You are such a Magnificent God and you love us so much that you have a special place for us to come rest with you. You will give us Peace, Comfort and Love. I pray for all the Jesus followers to humble themselves and enter in to His secret place, where they can hide from the world and find rest under the shadow of His wings. Amen

- Michelle Craig

James 3 - 5.21.26

S: James 3:9-12

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

O: It is quite crazy, and slightly alarming, how easily we can live with and utilize something for most of our lives and so easily forget it’s depth of power. This passage from James 3 shakes us all awake to the power of our tongues & the impact of our words. We can praise the Lord then curse God’s beloved child with malicious words. We can exhort someone publicly, but then from the same mouth slander them privately. As the scripture says, “this should not be.”

Part of being representatives and disciples of Christ is understanding more the power that Christ has THROUGH each part of our design when we act in His will and rooted in His wisdom. A fig tree is meant to bear the fruit it was designed to bear, figs. Just as our mouths and tongues should bear righteous fruit as they were inherently designed to do, words flowing from the root system of wisdom and the purity of God’s love as talked about later in James 3. To acknowledge where our tongues have power to destroy, also helps us come into alignment with the realization of where our tongues have the power to build up and exhort others. Our words have power and we can strive to steward that part of our design for the bettering of the spaces we are in.

A: As I read this verse, it was easy to reflect, in shame, for the moments where my words have not been uplifting but rather have been the spark for a destructive wildfire. When this shame or guilt arises, I am encouraged by God’s grace and the gift we have of repentance. Through repentance we can see more clearly what God has for us going forward. When we actively turn from our actions and where we’ve fallen short, then turning TOWARDS truth and how to live more aligned to what God asks of us, we can take accountability for where we need to apologize for a misuse of our tongue and words. I encourage you to reflect and turn towards repentance in the areas where you have seen yourself use your words carelessly. We all need to do this and be encouraged knowing that in the process of learning to live a better steward of our tongues - God loves us and there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

Additionally, take the measure of accountability and ownership for where you have fallen short. Apologies and ownership are our responsibility when we have misused our tongue. When we do so, we are making more space for connection and learning as we aim to steward speech and its power well. Finally, seek to see the beloved in those around you. In verse 9 it names those we speak to as those in “God’s likeness.” Ask the Lord to reveal encouragement and give you a sightline that aligns with His will for His children around you. See how the Lord gives you a fresh wind when you open up your heart to receive His perspective! Then, go act on it! Go tell people what God sees in them and utilize your tongue for encouragement. One of my life scriptures is Hebrews 3:13: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Your encouragement and words have the power to soften people’s heart to God’s presence. How amazing!

P: Father, I love you and love the way YOU speak to ME. Thank you for your words that are like honey to my soul. Thank you for the direction you have created for my lifestyle that is covered in your grace and love. Thank you for your mercies that are new every morning - help me to live a life faithful to stewarding the power of the tongue well. I turn from the desire to do the opposite and ask for your help in taking accountability and apologizing to those I have hurt. I love you God, thank you for loving me first. Amen.

- Tess Schrupp