Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
  March 18, 2024
Psalm 31:1-5
1 I take refuge in you, LORD. Please never let me be put to shame. Rescue me by your righteousness! 2 Listen closely to me! Deliver me quickly; be a rock that protects me; be a strong fortress that saves me! 3 You are definitely my rock and my fortress. Guide me and lead me for the sake of your good name! 4 Get me out of this net that’s been set for me because you are my protective fortress. 5 I entrust my spirit into your hands; you, LORD, God of faithfulness you have saved me.
Good Morning! Entrust your spirit into God’s hands
This Psalm is one of David’s laments. He feels lost and weak and he is calling to God. David is all over the place. One minute, he admits God is his refuge, and immediately, he shifts into telling God what to do. Finally, in verse 5, he is back to giving himself and his troubles to God.Â
When I’m under duress, my thoughts ping around my head like a pinball game. My thoughts and concerns activate lights, bells, whistles, and flappers. In these moments, my prayers are like David’s, where I jump from one thought to another. I go from praise to worry, to trying to be in control, and finally, to giving the problem to God.Â
In a way, I find comfort in David’s struggles because I see that even God’s chosen leaders have flaws. When I read of David’s imperfection, I understand that God loves us even when we can’t make sense of our thoughts and our situations. All we have to do is let go and let God.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We find ourselves in hard situations and we don’t know our next step. Thank you for listening when we need to talk it out. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Christ is our rock and our fortress.
God hears our needs even when we can’t form them in words! Pastor Liz