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You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" (Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16 The Message)
Good day dear Friend! May the start of the Lenten Journey find you included, involved, and blessed! This is a forty-day journey with the Lord. May we talk, listen, and trust the Lord during these days, so that when Good Friday comes we can better understand why Jesus loved us so much, and Resurrection Sunday will be the most joyous and blessed event of our lives!
This is one of the passages that Satan knows. Well, he knows them all, but this is the one he used to tempt Jesus. He knew that each and every one of these words had a special meaning and truth to Him, and the devil hated that. He also hates that we read and claim these words as well. If we're in God's presence, we can easily say, "God, you're my refuge. I trust in You and I'm safe!" What a comforting thought! The psalmist outlined each danger and the precise protection that God gives to those who trust in Him. These very words might have been those Jesus read before going into the wilderness for those forty days. During the day the wilderness is beautiful, but after dark, it is not a place you want to find yourself in. Yet, the psalmist knew God's love and protection and wrote these words with that faith; with God with me, nothing can harm me.
The part that the tempter used against Jesus was having Him truly trust God and the verse that says, "He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, the'll catch You; their job is to keep You from falling." Jesus replies we should not put the Lord God to the test. Yet, Jesus knew angels were coming to minister to Him after the ordeal was over, but for now, His job was to resist the devil, and He did. So can we. Trust in the Lord, and fast in a way that starves your sin and makes your tempters and temptations flee! Enjoy that "long drink of salvation!" which will give you long life!
PRAYER: Awesome God, may this time spent in prayer and Bible devotion, but a time of feasting. Some of us have not yet tasted food for today, but the richness, and goodness of Your word is the true nourishment we need. May this fuel our spirits for today and make us victorious in You. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Though you be fasting, show the world the great feast of which you are a part!
Eradio Valverde
