Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 30, 2022
Read Psalm 3:1-8
1 LORD, I have so many enemies! So many are standing against me. 2 So many are talking about me: “Even God won’t help him.” Selah 3 But you, LORD, are my shield! You are my glory! You are the one who restores me. 4 I cry out loud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah 5 I lie down, sleep, and wake up because the LORD helps me. 6 I won’t be afraid of thousands of people surrounding me on all sides. 7 Stand up, LORD! Save me, my God! In fact, hit all my enemies on the jaw; shatter the teeth of the wicked! 8 Rescue comes from the LORD! May your blessing be on your people! Selah
Good Morning, God restores our souls.
David is taking time to thank God for protecting him in his time of need. David goes to the holy mountain in his times of greatest trouble. When he is there, he feels surrounded by the shield of God. David proclaims that God is his shield, his glory, and the one who restores him.
In verse 5, David speaks of rest and peace as he lies down, sleeps, and awakens. We have all experienced those sleepless nights when anxiety fills our very being. If David is able to sleep, then he has found true comfort with God and believes that God will be with him no matter what troubles he faces. Even when his troubles expand around him, God will be with him.
For us, the Good News is that God is with us too. Emmanuel means God with us. David went to the holy mountain to find comfort with God. Where can we go for such comfort? We can join together in worship with the body of believers, we can pray, and we can spend time reading Scripture.
For all who believe, the kingdom of God is within us. We are one with our creator, God. We are saved by our redeemer, Christ. We are transformed into our true selves, the Holy Spirit. Praise be to God.
Paul explains that our current sufferings pale in comparison to the coming glory. The Spirit will be with us to help us, and God works all things for good. The Christian is destined to be conformed to the image of the Son – called, justified, and glorified. “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:29-31).
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. You are our shield and defender. Praise be to God. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Worship can move me from worry to peace.
Find your place of peace with God! Pastor Liz