Daily Discovery 22nd March 2020 Devotional – No Need To Fear
TODAY’S TOPIC: NO NEED TO FEAR
Opening Prayer
Lord, I thank You that You are with us even in times of political chaos, natural disasters and other trouble that besets us.
Read Psalm 46
Psalm 46[a]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Today: Daily Discovery 22nd March 2020 Devotional
Footnotes:
a Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
b Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
c Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
d Psalm 46:9 Or chariots
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect – Daily Discovery 22nd March 2020 Devotional
“A safe stronghold our God is still, a trusty shield and weapon; he’ll keep us clear from all the ill that hath us now o’ertaken” (Martin Luther, 1483–1546).
This psalm has sustained believers (and not only believers) for the best part of 3,000 years. Given the way that Jews use the psalms there’s a good chance that Paul sang it during his two years of captivity in Caesarea. He certainly had a reputation for singing hymns in prison (Acts 16:25,26)!
This psalm is for people in turmoil. It doesn’t matter whether we are facing natural disaster (2,3), political chaos (6), war (9) or straightforward trouble (1)—the fact is that God is there. Not only that, he is always there (1)—he doesn’t go away. Why not pause for a moment and remind yourself that however you are feeling just now, God is there with you.
But in our turmoil God is not just present, he is at work. He is there to help (5), and when he speaks things change (5,6,8,9). Are there things you need him to change just now?
The core truth is in the repeated refrain (7,11). God is with us and he is our fortress; he is present and protects. Perhaps you could memorize that refrain today.
Apply – Daily Discovery 22nd March 2020 Devotional
Try to recall a time when you experienced God’s deliverance or rescue. How did you feel both before and afterwards? Remind yourself of what happened and turn the memories into prayer.
Closing prayer
Lord, thank You that You are “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (1).
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