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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Tuesday, March 9, 2004 My Refuge and my Fortress |
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Frontline Devotion for
Tuesday, March 9, 2004, by Anne B. Crawford
Text for the Day:
Psalm 91
I went to a funeral last week for a man I didn’t know personally. He was the
father of a woman I have worked with for a few years. The gentleman was
remembered as a good father, a beloved brother, and a true friend. He was also
remembered as a man with a deep faith in God. His trust in and reliance on God
was mentioned many times by the people who stood up to eulogize him. I suppose
that was to be expected at the funeral of a man who had lived a good life and
was having his funeral service in a church. But the multiple mentions of his
relationship with God stood out for me and got me to thinking about the need to
rely more on God and less on myself.
Most of the time, in my life, I hum along and figure I can and will handle
whatever comes my way by the power of my own hard work, intelligence,
creativity, or with my own resources. I turn to God for the “big stuff” but end
up feeling I have failed if I have to ask God for help. This is so backwards
from what God offers and expects!
Hear the words of David in today’s psalm: “Those who love me, I will deliver; I
will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them.
I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long
life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.”
God expects us to rely on Him in all things. What that means is that we don’t
get to decide which things we bring to God’s attention. Rather, God needs to
have our attention for and in everything. I cannot say on the one hand that I
rely on God and on the other hand that I can get along fine most of the time on
my own. It really needs to be an all or nothing proposition. Every time I
choose not to rely on God and all He promises me if I make my refuge in Him, I
lose. I lose because I have sinned by considering myself wiser than God –
presuming that I know more about my needs than He does. Unfortunately, the
struggle to deny self and rely on God is one that goes on in my life all the
time. Relying on God is more than a command, it is a gift – a gift from God who
promises to be our refuge and strength. I need to claim that promise and put my
trust in Him.
Let us pray: Holy God, you call us to rely on you in all things. Help us, when
we stubbornly cling to our own ways, to remember that you wait for us with open
arms to provide refuge, strength, and salvation. Help us learn to deny
ourselves and seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Amen.
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