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The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples. For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death, so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance. The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught. The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you. Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human. (Psalm 9:9-20)
Where did you hide as a child? I used to hide under my house as a small child. I found the perfect spot under our raised home (it was on blocks) and I could spend hours under there and believed it to be one of the safest places on earth. Now looking back I wondered why spiders or snakes did not bother me while hiding. As a child I did not have any enemies from which to hide, thank God. And the enemies I now face are those that come into my life as temptations. My chief enemy is Satan. I have a great place to hide when these come and the place is as the psalmist said in the first verse: The Lord. I can go into a thought prayer or spend times writing knee-mails in my heart as I bow before the Lord and pray about what has been troubling or tempting me. God is our safe haven. He is not distant or indifferent to our struggles but actively provides a place of protection for those who seek Him. The imagery of God as a refuge and stronghold evokes a sense of security and strength amid life's storms.
Where do you hide? Some seek to hide in escapes; and sadly, the list is long of things or persons we can use in which we think we are hiding when in reality we are making it easier for our downfall. God calls us to hide in Him, but not to the point of total escape or isolation from others; for while hidden we are equipped with that which we need to emerge from our time with God as an equipper for others. Our response to experiencing God's refuge should be one of praise and proclamation. Just as the psalmist calls us to sing and proclaim among the nations, we are invited to share the goodness and faithfulness of God with others. When we declare His works and testify to His deliverance in our lives, we not only honor Him but also inspire faith in those around us.
We can share with those facing similar things what we have faced and how it was that God helped us overcome and see us through that difficulty. Our enemies don't stand a chance. They are already defeated, and they know it! They fight like they still have a chance, but they don't. Even in our most challenging moments, God's deliverance gives us a reason to rejoice and declare His praises. The psalmist's prayer for deliverance is not just for personal relief but for the opportunity to glorify God publicly. Our trials can become testimonies that magnify His faithfulness and grace. Choose today to live in the stronghold that is the Lord. Live like a victorious conqueror!
PRAYER: Loving God, for the trials and temptations that may come my way; let me hide in You. Equip me, strengthen me to emerge to share with those weak and in need; for Yours is the victory! In Jesus Christ's strong name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Consider sharing this testimony with someone who may need encouragement or assurance of God's faithfulness today. Let your life be a testimony to His love and power, pointing others towards the hope found in Him.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
