Devotion for August 13, 2024
By Bryan Chapell

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. (Psalm 27:1-2)

We all face life crises. They may large scale: the result of misguided governments, natural disasters, or even terrorists. Or, they may be very personal: a health scare, a financial hurdle, a career setback, or a difficult relationship. Whatever your circumstances today, remember that God’s purposes for you cannot fail. 

David’s psalm reminds us of that truth with an image all Israel would know. Their “stronghold” was a mountain of rock with steep sides, but also with a level top where God’s people could live in safety. More than once David fled to such a stronghold to find safety from his enemies.

But what gave David greater confidence than the natural fortress to which he could flee was the supernatural Savior who was always with him. David did not have to flee to find this safety because he knew that this fortress was never far away. Wherever he was and whatever he faced, David was always in the stronghold of God’s protection. 

Crises would still come and enemies would still threaten, but David knew he did not need to be afraid that they could ever overcome God’s purposes for his life. The same is true for us because the same God is for us. You and I can say, “The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I need you in my own crises. Help me to trust that you are my stronghold, that I am eternally secure in your care, and that your purposes cannot fail for me, so that I am not afraid.

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