Nahum 1:7

Verse of the Day: Nahum 1:7

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” – Nahum 1:7

This is another verse that speaks of the Lord watching out for His own.  However, those who are enemies of His or His own He will address.  Look at verses 2-3.  “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.  The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. “These verses show that He will not quickly become angry, however, if they do not turn to Him, they will suffer great consequences.

We who are His children, will be protected.  He watches over us and when we find ourselves in trouble, He is our stronghold.  Think of a great fortress where evil people are doing all they can to get to us, yet we are inside with no fear; knowing they cannot get to us.  When the enemy comes against us, having placed our whole life in His hands, he will never reach us for the Lord is our stronghold and fortress.  Always remember, when the enemy comes against us, we will overcome through the power of God.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Psalm 46:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 46:1 

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 

This verse to me is one of the most encouraging in all the scriptures.  It tells us that God is a place of safety for us in a world that is filled with danger.  The word ‘refuge’ is from a word meaning to ‘flee’ and then ‘to flee to’.  It has the idea of taking shelter: a place one would flee to in a time of danger.  Earlier in the psalms we read the following from David.  “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm  18:2-3.  And as the last part of the verse states. He is a very present help in our times of trials.

And because He is our refuge, we have no reason to fear.  “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea, Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.” Psalm 46:2-3. No matter what may come our way, whatever disaster my come upon us.  He knows everything and is with us at all times.  Therefore, we know that if we are in His presence, we are safe.  As the writer of proverbs puts it, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10. 

This idea is not just in the Old Testament.  Jesus Himself taught this to His disciples.  “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side.  Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?  And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush, be still. And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.  And He said to them, Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?  They became very much afraid and said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:35-41. I believe this was set up as a point of learning, but I will not say this dogmatically.  Here they were with Jesus, the very Son of God.  They had seen Him do many miracles of healing and the casting out of demons.  And now they were in a boat with Him with a powerful storm, they lacked the faith to believe everything was OK.  Jesus was not concerned, for He just continued to sleep peaceably.  But they were afraid and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38b.  Then after Jesus rebuked the wind, He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

It is important that we truly grasp the words found in Psalm 46:1.  No matter what comes upon us He is there with us and is our refuge.  Today we are seeing so many instances where people fear what is going to happen to them.  As Christians, we must remember what Paul wrote to the Philippians.  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21.  He had the confidence that God would address any situation that may come up, whether he lives of dies.  Another way to put this is ‘whatever happens, I win’.  During any trial we happen to endure, we can always run to God as our refuge.  He will either protect us here on earth, or He will take us home.  Either way, as our focus verse says, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Psalm 62:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 62:8

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” – Psalm 62:8

Who do we trust in this life?  Who do we go to first in difficult times?  We all know people who help us when difficult times come.  It could be family or friends, or an agency that specializes in what we are struggling with.  It is good to seek help from good people we know and trust.  However, the first place we should go is to the one who can help us no matter the situation, who knows everything about us, past, present, and future.  And the one who loves us more than anyone else could ever love us.  And that person is our Almighty God. 

King David saw Him as that one person who He went to in times of trouble.  “My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2.  David here is expressing his absolute trust and confidence in God.  He waits patiently for Him, the one who has promised him salvation from all trials.  He understands that by placing his trust in God, he will not be greatly shaken.  Notice the word greatly in verse two.  He may feel some consternation due to what the enemy does, however he trusts that no matter what happens, he is never alone.

He then calls out his enemies.  “How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah.” Psalm 62:3-4.  How long will you come against me in your hatred?  You are ready to destroy others, however, in this you will be destroyed.  His faith was strong in the protection of God.  Then he declares that no matter what happens, it is only God he will go to.  “My soul; wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.  On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.” Psalm 62:5-7.  David makes it very clear that his trust lies completely in the Lord.  He will only place his trust in Him, for no one else can provide the safety and peace he needs and desires.  Note the end of verse six.  ‘I shall not be shaken’.  See the difference in this and verse 2. 

Then he calls out to those who may read this.  “Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:8. He tells his readers that it is imperative that they trust fully in God no matter the situation they find themselves in.  And not just at certain times, but in all times.  And tell Him everything, hold nothing back.  He knows everything about everything, but you show your trust by giving Him everything.

I want to encourage everyone reading this to do as David did, to wait in silence on God to work on your behalf.  We must trust in Him completely, for He is our rock and our salvation.  Be patient and meditate on His goodness and love, as well as His promise that He will never leave or forsake us.  I also want to remind everybody what my favorite verse in the scriptures, and it is extremely relevant in all situations. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. He has promised this for us, and He always keeps His promises.  Be at peace, for He is our Prince of Peace, and this is His desire for us.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.