God is our refuge

Slices

Prepare

Think back over your life to the times when you have known God’s faithful love. Remember how you have taken refuge in the shadow of his wings. Praise God for his unfailing love!

Bible passage

Psalm 36

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

I have a message from God in my heart
    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God
    before their eyes.

In their own eyes they flatter themselves
    too much to detect or hate their sin.
The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;
    they fail to act wisely or do good.
Even on their beds they plot evil;
    they commit themselves to a sinful course
    and do not reject what is wrong.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast in the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen –
    thrown down, not able to rise!

wl

Explore

I’m taking refuge this week. My flat is in chaos as a new kitchen is installed, and my lovely friend not only gives me a quiet space to write but feeds and waters me too! I’m certainly feasting on the abundance of her house (v 8). 

This is a psalm of two halves. First, David knows God is speaking deep in his heart about the wicked and their sinfulness (v 1). They are totally obsessed with evil plans (v 4). Then we have the contrast of the beautiful poetic words of David as he luxuriates in the priceless, unfailing love of God (v 7). Words such as life and light lift him up. He knows the best refuge is in the shadow of God’s wings. David longs for God’s love to continue to all who know him (v 10). 

Yesterday we left Moses experiencing the glory of God. Today, may we be thankful for these men of God, David and Moses, for their ability to rise above the everyday, and the encouragement their faith brings us. 
 

Author
Liz Pacey

Respond

Picture yourself in the shadow of God’s wings. How does it feel to be there? Where else is a place of refuge or security for you? Recall God’s faithful love to you and sing or listen to the hymn ‘Great is thy faithfulness’. 

 

Bible in a year

Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 27,28; 1 Corinthians 1

Pray for Scripture Union

Praise God for the way in which he has blessed these young people in Hampshire, most of whom have no church background, with such amazing faith! (This week's prayer relate to this article.)