Journey to Jerusalem Day 14

Tuesday, March 2 Psalm 16:1-4
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord? What does that look like? What did it look like in David’s life? Trust. Quiet confidence. Humble obedience. Courage.
David was able to stand up against Goliath and defeat him because David trusted in the Lord. He had confidence that because the Lord had been with him as he protected and defended his father’s sheep, God would be with him to protect and defend his Father’s people.

While Saul was still king, David was anointed king by Samuel. Though David knew the crown belonged to him, in humble obedience he waited for God’s timing. He had multiple opportunities to overthrow Saul but didn’t take matters into his own hands. He waited for the Lord to act.

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed to cover his sin, God told David he was going to take the child’s life. David fasted and prayed before the Lord. He had repented of his sin and desperately called upon the mercy of God to spare his child’s life. God did not relinquish. Yet David did not turn away from the Lord in his pain and sorrow.
David fought and defeated many enemies of the people of Israel. He became a mighty warrior. He drew his strength and courage from the Lord.

With all the adversity David faced in his life, he was able to stand firm in his faith in God. God was his refuge. There was no good apart from God.

O Lord my God, you are my chosen portion and my cup. You hold my lot. Help me to take refuge in you, in trust and quite confidence, with humble obedience and courage. Preserve me O God, for I have no good apart from you.
Amen.