Heartfelt Reflections: Daily Walk with God

FRIDAY, 23 AUGUST 2024

TEXT: Psalm 19:1-14

1. The heavens declare the glory of the God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

3. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

4. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit it the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

10. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

11. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: DWELLING IN GOD’S PRESENCE FOREVER

Today, fear has led many people into seeking refuge in different places and using different means.

Some Christians go to spiritualist, herbalists, mallams, etc., to seek protection while others hire detectives and acquire modern security gadgets to secure their lives and property.

These strategies could mean a lack of trust in the ability of God to provide the needed protection.

In today’s reading, the Psalmist draws our attention to the fact that when we dwell and make God our ultimate protector, we have assurances of our protection.

He lists some of the ways in which that is done (vs3-4, 11-13). Only the Lord can protect us in these terrible times in which we live. Therefore, we need to seek and dwell in His shelter as long as we live.

May our faith be strengthened in Him and not in the things we think we have which can protect us.

QUESTION: What is that thing or who is that person that protects you?

PRAYER: I confess my initial doubts about Your ability to protect me. I pray that You will help me to come under Your shelter so that I can dwell there forever, in Jesus name. Amen.