#DailyDevotion Make The LORD Your Refuge. Plead His Righteousness
Psalm 31 I’ve taken refuge in You, O LORD; don’t let me be disappointed. Because of Your righteousness rescue me. 2Listen to me — hurry to save me.
If we take refuge in the LORD we expect to not be disappointed. For the scriptures say, “Those who trust in the LORD will not be ashamed.” David uses this as a point to plead for the LORD’s help. Parallel to that is David appealing to the LORD’s righteousness as a reason for the LORD to rescue him.
There is a good reason to examine the life of David. He was a man who trusted in the LORD. In 1 Samuel 13, the LORD calls David, “a man after my own heart.” The LORD anoints David to be king over Israel. But from the time David is anointed to the time he gets the crown, he has nothing but trouble in his life. Most of it is caused by Saul who wants to kill him. The LORD lets David go through all these trials and tribulations. It is David’s cross he must bear. David though continues to put his trust in the LORD and in the LORD’s promises. The LORD also continues to rescue David in the midst of all these hardships.
Now look to Christ Jesus, the second David. He starts off life having to flee to Egypt. He is God’s only-begotten Son yet He has to flee under the cover of night. Though He is the anointed Messiah, the King of the Jews, He does not grow up in fine palaces but in a small town under the oppression of the Romans. He is orphaned at some point in life after His twelfth birthday. When He starts His ministry He has opposition from every corner. Ultimately, His enemies make Him suffer, punishing Him and crucifying Him to death. God the Father though raised Jesus from the dead and seats Jesus at His right hand.
Now look at yourselves? Are you people after God’s own heart? Have you been anointed king of Israel? Have you lived a perfect life like Jesus? However, you have been anointed by the Holy Spirit in baptism. You have been joined to Christ Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection through baptism. Now have crosses been laid upon you? Do you always have things go wrong? Do people oppose you because of your faith in Christ? Is the devil at every corner harassing you? You are in good company with David and Jesus. As David and Jesus both took refuge in the LORD and sought the LORD to rescue them, you too put your faith in the LORD to rescue you from every evil.
Call upon the LORD to listen to you. Appeal to the righteousness of the LORD to be rescued and not your own righteousness. Nothing pleases God the LORD more than we turn to Him in troubles and trials for refuge. Trusting in the LORD’s righteousness, He declares us righteous. The LORD will listen to you and save you. Like David and Jesus, He is not going to keep you from troubles and tribulations. Jesus Himself told us, “If you want to be my disciple you must follow me.” As Jesus’ disciples we will follow Him to the cross and bear our own crosses. As David eventually is crowned as king of Israel and Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, ultimately, if you continue in the faith of Jesus, you will sit on the Father’s throne. (Rev. 3:21) Don’t give up hope but in the certainty of the promises of God in Christ Jesus be steadfast and look to the LORD your God for refuge and help at all times.
Heavenly Father, be our refuge in times of trouble and at all times. According to your righteousness deliver us from all trials and tribulation as our trust is in You. According to your promise never let anyone take us from Your hand. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.