A Better Person

Comment: We can always take refuge in the strength of the Lord. He is there to continually protect, comfort, and regenerate our outlook on life's possibilities. He can restore our joy, rebuild our lives, and strengthen our desire to become a better person. He can give us new hope, no matter the circumstance.

Verse: Psalm 71
 ¹ In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
       let me never be put to shame.
 ² Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
       turn your ear to me and save me.
 ³ Be my rock of refuge,
       to which I can always go;
       give the command to save me,
       for you are my rock and my fortress.
 ⁴ Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
       from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
 ⁵ For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
       my confidence since my youth.
 ⁶ From birth I have relied on you;
       you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
       I will ever praise you.
 ⁷ I have become like a portent to many,
       but you are my strong refuge.
 ⁸ My mouth is filled with your praise,
       declaring your splendor all day long.
 ⁹ Do not cast me away when I am old;
       do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
 ¹⁰ For my enemies speak against me;
       those who wait to kill me conspire together.
 ¹¹ They say, "God has forsaken him;
       pursue him and seize him,
       for no one will rescue him."
 ¹² Be not far from me, O God;
       come quickly, O my God, to help me.
 ¹³ May my accusers perish in shame;
       may those who want to harm me
       be covered with scorn and disgrace.
 ¹⁴ But as for me, I will always have hope;
       I will praise you more and more.
 ¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
       of your salvation all day long,
       though I know not its measure.
 ¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
       I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
 ¹⁷ Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
       and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
 ¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
       do not forsake me, O God,
       till I declare your power to the next generation,
       your might to all who are to come.
 ¹⁹ Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
       you who have done great things.
       Who, O God, is like you?
 ²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
       you will restore my life again;
       from the depths of the earth
       you will again bring me up.
 ²¹ You will increase my honor
       and comfort me once again.
 ²² I will praise you with the harp
       for your faithfulness, O my God;
       I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
       O Holy One of Israel.
 ²³ My lips will shout for joy
       when I sing praise to you—
       I, whom you have redeemed.
 ²⁴ My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
       all day long,
       for those who wanted to harm me
       have been put to shame and confusion.

Rescue

Commentary: We should never forget about the shelter, peace, and refuge that God provides. His promises are abundant and are always fulfilled. However, we must make the choice to seek them out.


Verse: Psalms 91

 ¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 ² This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.
 ³ For he will rescue you from every trap
      and protect you from deadly disease.
 ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
      He will shelter you with his wings.
      His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
 ⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
      nor the arrow that flies in the day.
 ⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
      nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
 ⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
      though ten thousand are dying around you,
      these evils will not touch you.
 ⁸ Just open your eyes,
      and see how the wicked are punished.
 ⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
      if you make the Most High your shelter,
 ¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
      no plague will come near your home.
 ¹¹ For he will order his angels
      to protect you wherever you go.
 ¹² They will hold you up with their hands
      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
 ¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
      you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

 ¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
 ¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them.
 ¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
      and give them my salvation.”