God our Fortress

Psalm 91 is a psalm of confidence and trust. Its words have provided comfort to untold numbers of believers for thousands of years.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful,” the psalm opens, “Then you will say to the LORD, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.’” It is a beautiful statement, one full of promise.

God is in Control

The superscription to this Psalm tells us the context in which ancient Israel believed the song was composed. David “wrote this when Doeg from Edom went to Saul and said, ‘David has gone to Ahimelech’s house.’”

We can read that terrible story in 1 Samuel 21-22.

Read More disappointment, betrayal, trust

Trusting God to do What is Best

The heading on Psalm 56 in the Contemporary English Version is “A Prayer of Trust in God.” The superscription indicates it was written by David when he was held captive in Gath, a story we can read in 1 Samuel 21:10—22:2.

Crisis Management

For much of my younger life you could probably best describe my spiritual walk as crisis management. Prayer was an exercise in checking off all the specific things I needed divine intervention for.

Living Faith Amid Faithlessness

I’ve learned through the years that not everybody can be trusted with my heart. Not everyone can handle my innermost thoughts. I have also learned, the hard way, that not everyone has a right to them. I have learned the wisdom of being quick to forgive, slow to trust and even slower to entrust.

On Getting What You Want

“Do you want to be healed?” The first time I read this passage I thought what a dumb question! Was Jesus being dense? Of course he wants to be healed! He has been sick for thirty-eight years, beside a pool believed to heal anyone who can be the first to enter it after the waters move. Why would he be there if he didn’t want to be healed? What a strange question. So often when we cry out to God and are denied, we complain, like the man in the story did.

Faith and Success

Instead of lacking food, Abram now had great wealth. Would Abram trust God when he didn’t ‘need’ him? (1)Yes, he would! Learning from his previous failure that God protects his promises, Abram gave Lot first choice knowing his choice would not affect God’s promises.

Faith and Patience

If today’s reading sounds like a familiar story, it’s because it is. Abram and Sarai repeat Adam and Eve’s story… and make all the same mistakes!

A Rock-Solid Song

As God’s people travel en masse up to worship their God in Jerusalem their pilgrim song rises more strongly, more clearly. It is a song that encircles the people and draws them together as one voice.

Have you ever been in a crowd that is heading someplace? Like a crowd streaming into a big hockey game or a hot band concert or a march of protest or a celebration parade?

Patience and Perseverance

Our earthly knowledge just does not cut it. Human reason and wisdom along cannot reveal the secrets of God’s purpose for our lives. It requires process, patience and perseverance to understand God’s ways with us.

I am astounded at Joseph’s tenacity.