Devotional Thoughts for the Week of April 28, 2024 - God is Our Shield
“Lord, I have so many enemies, so many who are against me. Listen to how they whisper their slander against me, saying: ‘Look! He’s hopeless! Even God can’t save him from this!’ <pause in His presence>
But in the depths of my heart I truly know that You, Yahweh, have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with Yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You lift high my head when I bow low in shame. I have cried out to You, Yahweh, from Your holy presence. You send me a Father’s help.” <pause in His presence> (Ps. 3:1-4, tPt)
It is remarkable how these words penned by David more than 2500 years ago apply so strongly to multiple situations today. Countless people are facing circumstances that look or feel hopeless, both in our own community and around the globe. The Word of God is living and active (Hebr. 4:12). It meets us where we are.
This week we have seen violent antisemitic protests on university campuses, and also threats from the International Criminal Court against leaders in Israel. Once again the Jewish people find themselves the target of a hatred so irrational that it can only be demonic. The USA has not been the staunch supporter that we had traditionally been. In the midst of great trouble, Yahweh is still their Shield. He is their only hope.
Persecution of Christians rages in many countries today. Believers are quite literally surrounded by enemies. In the midst of those reports, however, we are also hearing amazing reports of hundreds of thousands of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. For example, God is moving in amazing ways in Iran. According to Dr. Hormoz Shariat (who is being called the Billy Graham of Iran), Underground church leaders estimate there are 2-3 million believers in Iran today. Christians say everywhere they go they meet other Christians. Nearly everybody knows somebody who has become a believer and they are well respected by the citizens, even though the government still arrests and executes Christians. As people cry out to God, He surrounds them and lifts them up into glorious relationship with Christ.
As God is working in these major international arenas, He is also working right here in our own community. We see Him bringing victory, healing from past trauma and leading people into a season of wholeness. They are experiencing for themselves the truth of the Scripture above. The Psalmist wrote in the previous chapter, “Many blessings are waiting for all who turn aside to hide themselves in Him!” (2:12b). I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to hide yourselves in Christ today, and continue to pray in faith for all who are battling. No matter what enemies oppose us today, God is still our Shield. He surrounds His people with His powerful presence and fills us with hope as we trust in Him.
Lynn
1. For more information and powerful testimonies, go to www.iranalive.org
“Lord, I have so many enemies, so many who are against me. Listen to how they whisper their slander against me, saying: ‘Look! He’s hopeless! Even God can’t save him from this!’ <pause in His presence>
But in the depths of my heart I truly know that You, Yahweh, have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with Yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You lift high my head when I bow low in shame. I have cried out to You, Yahweh, from Your holy presence. You send me a Father’s help.” <pause in His presence> (Ps. 3:1-4, tPt)
It is remarkable how these words penned by David more than 2500 years ago apply so strongly to multiple situations today. Countless people are facing circumstances that look or feel hopeless, both in our own community and around the globe. The Word of God is living and active (Hebr. 4:12). It meets us where we are.
This week we have seen violent antisemitic protests on university campuses, and also threats from the International Criminal Court against leaders in Israel. Once again the Jewish people find themselves the target of a hatred so irrational that it can only be demonic. The USA has not been the staunch supporter that we had traditionally been. In the midst of great trouble, Yahweh is still their Shield. He is their only hope.
Persecution of Christians rages in many countries today. Believers are quite literally surrounded by enemies. In the midst of those reports, however, we are also hearing amazing reports of hundreds of thousands of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. For example, God is moving in amazing ways in Iran. According to Dr. Hormoz Shariat (who is being called the Billy Graham of Iran), Underground church leaders estimate there are 2-3 million believers in Iran today. Christians say everywhere they go they meet other Christians. Nearly everybody knows somebody who has become a believer and they are well respected by the citizens, even though the government still arrests and executes Christians. As people cry out to God, He surrounds them and lifts them up into glorious relationship with Christ.
As God is working in these major international arenas, He is also working right here in our own community. We see Him bringing victory, healing from past trauma and leading people into a season of wholeness. They are experiencing for themselves the truth of the Scripture above. The Psalmist wrote in the previous chapter, “Many blessings are waiting for all who turn aside to hide themselves in Him!” (2:12b). I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to hide yourselves in Christ today, and continue to pray in faith for all who are battling. No matter what enemies oppose us today, God is still our Shield. He surrounds His people with His powerful presence and fills us with hope as we trust in Him.
Lynn
1. For more information and powerful testimonies, go to www.iranalive.org