My Refuge and My Shield
Date: April 12, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor the Key Words
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:114 (NIV)
L - Listen: Dear God, please help us to fully understand what it means to take refuge in You as our shield. Let this verse remind us of the hope that we have in Your Word. Show us how to apply this truth to our daily lives. Amen.
E - Explore: This psalm is the longest chapter in the entire Bible and is called an acrostic poem with means that each section starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is written anonymously, but many scholars believe that it was written by King David. In this particular verse, David acknowledges God as his refuge and shield, which is a common metaphor used throughout the Bible. In the ancient world, a shield was an important part of a soldier's armor, providing physical protection in battle. Similarly, God protects us from spiritual attacks and dangers.
S - Study:
"Refuge" and "shield" both refer to God as our protector, with "refuge" emphasizing a place of safety and "shield" emphasizing defense.
"Hope" expresses our trust in God and His promises.
"Word" refers to God's written Word, the Bible, which is a source of comfort, guidance, and instruction for our lives.
S - Summarize:
Psalm 119:114 reminds us of the peace and security that we can find in God's word. When we put our trust in Him and His promises, we can have a sense of calmness and comfort even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
It's like a lighthouse in the storm, guiding us to safety. When we feel lost and alone, we can turn to God's word and find the hope and direction that we need. We can be assured that He is always with us, even when the world around us feels like it's falling apart.
David knew the power of God's word and he often sang about it in his psalms. He found strength and courage in the Lord, and we can too. We may face trials and difficulties in life, but we can face them with confidence knowing that we have God's word to guide us.
Take some time today to read and meditate on God's word. Allow it to bring you peace and comfort in the midst of whatever you may be going through. Feel free to share in our group how God's word has impacted your life and brought you hope.
Remember, just as David danced and sang with joy in praise of God, we lift our voices in worship and thanksgiving as well. Whether it's through singing, praying, or simply talking to God, let's make praising Him a regular part of our lives.
Bible Cross References:
Psalm 18:2: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 28:7: "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
Psalm 119:116: "Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed."
Proverbs 30:5: "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."