October 9
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MY STRONGHOLD & THE ROCK OF MY REFUGE
For judgment will again be righteous,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18 If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
20 Can a throne of destruction be allied with You,
One which devises mischief by decree?
21 They band themselves together against the life of the righteous
And condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has been my stronghold,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He has brought back their wickedness upon them
And will destroy them in their evil;
The LORD our God will destroy them.- Psalm 94:15-23
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In this psalm, the writer focuses on the righteous God we have. He judges fairly. All those who live upright lives knows that God gives justice impartially. Verses 16-17 declares the faithfulness of God and how He is a promise keeper who will ensure that the wicked are punished when they do evil to God’s people. It is a declaration of confidence in God who is the only one who can deliver them against wickedness. Verse 17 is a grateful act of God’s help. Without it, anyone would feel overwhelmed and helpless, but the psalmist knows his God very well. He knows that God will never be silent, but will always be there on their rescue. Verses 18-19 enumerates what God does in times of anxiety. God always ensures that the faithful will never entertain anxiety and worry because they know that God will always console them.
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REFLECTION
• How often do you run to your stronghold when trouble comes?
• Why is it important to dwell on God’s promises when anxiety sets in?