Aug 09 2024

Today's Bible Verse

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

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In this verse, King David emphasizes his total dependence on the Lord by saying He is his "rock" and his "fortress." This humble prayer is a sweet reminder that the Lord sustains us in all circumstances. We do not need to be afraid of anything; the Lord will protect us and show us what to do when we face big decisions.

What are some of your biggest fears? When David wrote the Psalm, King Saul was actively hunting him down, and David desperately needed direction from the Lord to know his next steps. He feared being harmed or killed by his enemies, and making a wrong decision. He lived in complete reliance on the Lord; knowing that only God could save him from his fears.

David calls out to the Lord, knowing that the Lord would hear his prayer and answer it. In saying the Lord is his rock and his fortress, David means the Lord is his safe place. He was David's anchor, and David knew he could always turn to the Lord for help. When David reminds himself of these truths about the Lord, his fears about his physical safety begin to diminish.

In the second half of the verse, David asks the Lord to lead and guide him. By asking for direction, David admits that he doesn't know the best thing to do—he trusts that the Lord will help him. Moreover, David's primary concern is obedience to the Lord; he wants the Lord to use his life however He sees fit. He has completely surrendered to God's will and wants the Lord to save him for His own name's sake.

This complete surrender and humble submission to the Lord's will helped David cast off fear—and it can help us in the same way. We, too, can trust in the Lord, and be assured that His ways are always better than our own… and like David, we can live without fear.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for freeing me from fear. Thank you for being my rock and my fortress, and for letting me be safe in you. Please give me guidance and direction all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Aug 08 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. :

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this morning's Psalm, we have a passionate expression of desire for the Lord. The psalmist says there is none like Him on Heaven or Earth; he desires the Lord above all things. The more we get to know the Lord, the more this verse reflects our sweet relationship with Him. As we grow in our knowledge of Him, we begin to cherish Him on a new level.

Have you experienced what it is like to desire the Lord above all else? This happens when we realize that the Lord is the only one who can meet all of our needs. He knows us completely and is able to satisfy us better than anything in the world can. He is better than a successful career, lots of money, physical health and beauty, or even a loving family and friends. This is because He meets our needs, not only in the present moment, but for all eternity.

Yet… it can be difficult to desire the Lord above all else. He might seem far off or inaccessible, and it's easy to forget how much we rely on Him when so many of our material needs are met each day. The Lord, however, meets us right where we are. If we want to desire Him above all things, we can begin to pray for that, asking the Lord to stir our hearts with longing for Him.

When we begin to know the Lord on a deeper level, we will want to know Him more! Our efforts compound; we will never get tired of Him. Instead, we will want to spend more and more time with Him. This is why mature believers spend so much time in prayer and in the Bible—they want to know the Lord better and better! As A.W. Tozer wrote in The Pursuit of God, "O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more."

This is what the Psalmist thought about when he wrote today's verse. He knew that nothing was better than the Lord. Today, our hearts can begin to resound with this same truth.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being better than anything in the entire world. You are perfect, loving, and so good to me. Whet my appetite to know you better. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
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