Psalm 31:1-5
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, deliver me. Turn your ear toward me. Hurry! Rescue me! Be a rock where I take refuge, a fortified place that saves me. Yes, you are my rocky cliff and my stronghold. For the sake of your name, you will lead me and guide me. You will pull me out of the net that they hid for me because you are my refuge. Into your hand, I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for David’s skill at writing and for giving us this image of a strong hold on the edge of a cliff where nothing can get to us or harm us. When we are struggling, and in trouble, you are always a refuge for us where we have nothing to fear. During those troubled times, you are not far away but are close, with your ear always listening for our distress call, and you provide us with protection and relief. We trust you are always ready to hear and answer us when we call you. Our confidence comes from faith in Jesus. He is that rock where we can hide; he is the fortified place that saves us. You demonstrated your love and concern for us when you sent your Son; Jesus pulled us out of sin’s death net. He took all our sins into himself, then allowed himself to be hung on that cursed cross and suffered for our sins, redeeming us. Jesus allowed himself to be rolled up in that net of death, and then three days later, he burst death’s bondage, destroying that net when he rose from the dead. So we pray with David to commit our spirit into your hands. It is through faith that we trust you will never let us go. We trust this because, in your word, you tell us you are the God of truth, and you have never lied to us.
Lord, keep us in your grasp and never let us go. Grant us conversations with others to share with them the hiding place we have in you, and let us tell them about the forgiveness Jesus has won for us and the salvation that comes to all through faith in him. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
With sins forgiven by Jesus, they are removed, and there is nothing about which we need to feel shame; Jesus has removed all your iniquities, and you are forgiven!