The following is Week One, Day One from my new devotional book, “God Is My Refuge,” which officially releases this week. The purpose of this book is to guide women to God’s promises of help in the Bible and help them understand and apply them to their lives. May He be your “ever-present help” in times of trouble.
Week One’s Memory Verse:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
A Safe Place
Read: Psalm 46:1-7 Weekly memory verse: Psalm 46:1
“Safe! I’m on base, I’m safe! You can’t get me now!”
Remember playing the game of tag as a child? The person who was “it” chased all the other players hoping to tag one, making them “it” for the next round. Most of the players ran quickly to the safety of home base. However, at least one player would usually tempt fate by continuing to run around, barely darting out of the grasp of “it” again and again. Not me though. I always ran straight to home base and the protection it provided.
I haven’t played tag in a very long time, but I still need a safe place to run to when the troubles of life threaten to overtake me. I need a refuge – a shelter, a place of safety that protects me from danger and trouble.
In John 16:33, Jesus said His followers will have trouble in this world. We live in a fallen world, full of troubles of all kinds. In fact, sometimes, like the mountains in Psalm 46:3, we may see our lives crumbling around us while the flood waters rise. But God offers protection for His children in distress.
According to Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge, our “ever-present help in trouble.” He has the power to save and authority to act. We don’t have to fear our circumstances. God is bigger than our personal crisis, any physical disaster, or political upheaval. Whenever and wherever His children need help, God is there.
Reflect & Apply
What troubles, difficulties, or heart-aches are you dealing with now?
List the things you learned about God from today’s Scripture.
Do you believe God is bigger than your troubles? Reflect on how God may choose to use your troubles for His purposes.
Prayer Prompt
Write a prayer to God acknowledging Him as your refuge, your place of safety.
Memory Minute (Why Should I memorize Scripture?)
Each day of devotions will guide you through a quick exercise to help you memorize that week’s memory verse. Please take a minute or two each day to follow the suggestions and by the end of the week you should know it “by heart.” Don’t forget to review them regularly.
For a constant reminder that God is our source of strength and place of safety, commit to memorize Psalm 46:1.
- Read the verse.
- Read the verses immediately surrounding it to understand the context in which it is written (in this case, read Psalm 46:1-3).
- Rewrite the verse in your own words.
- Write the verse and reference on a card. This card should fit the type of storage system you’ve chosen for your verses.
- Read it out loud three times.
How do you feel about memorizing Scripture? Is it something you want to do? Have you had success in the past?
A month-long blog tour begins today to spread the word about this resource. This post from last week lists all the bloggers who are participating. If you comment on this post you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of the book.
Find out more about “God Is My Refuge.” Purchase it now on Amazon or CBD.
I agree with memorizing Scripture. I cannot tell you how many times the Lord would bring a passage to my mind when I most needed it. Right now I am memorizing Psalm 25.
Yes, I do believe God is bigger than all my troubles. I look to Him as my refuge and safety. Nothing is impossible with God.
Your new book sounds very good Kathy.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Wonderful psalm to commit to memory. Full of God’s promises. I also love David’s desire to cling to God!
I’ve been working on memorizing 1 Peter 1 for several months. I only lack about 4 verses!
Hi Kathy,
Memorizing is so important. I am trying to stay consistent with my memory work.
Last year I made it to September .
I,m going to work on psalm 46:1 this week. Love this verse. It is such an encouragement to meditate on God as my safe place.
Great post.
Blessings,
marita
Hi Marita! I see the huge benefit of memorizing Scripture too. However, sometimes I struggle to stay disciplined. Of course I have move motivation when I’m working on a verse that really resonates with my soul. Psalm 46:1 definitely does! God IS our refuge and strength! He IS our ever-present help in times of trouble!
I just started week 2 of this devo. I’m loving it. Thanks for the great stories and examples they really help put things in context.
Thank you Carol! I am thrilled to hear God is using the book to encourage you!
Kathy, I love having scripture memorized. Something my mom taught. This is one I have had in my head for years and relied on. Often though I don’t remember WHERE they are, so I will work on adding that to the words. Enjoying you on the road as I travel! Isn’t it amazing!
Mary, I have more trouble with the “address” than the verse itself too! But it is important we know where it is. I keep working on that!