Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (NRSV)

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”

Because you have made the LORD your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
Those who love me, I will deliver;

I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life, I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.

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Reflect

Refuge and Fortress

It was my junior year of high school, and I was making my first trip to Big Bend National Park. This was how we spent our Spring Break. The heat, the sweat, the journey, a bunch of teenagers, wandering through the canyon. I had been warned about one of areas we would be visiting and how hard it would be for “bigger” guys because instead of shimmying through an opening in the rock, we would have to go over it, holding on to a rope and not letting go. I was scared.

When it was my turn, and it was determined I was going over the rock, I assumed the position. I placed my foot in the rope, grabbed a hold, and began trying to scale over the large boulder. Unfortunately, it wasn’t going well, and our leader reached down and helped the only way he could – he grabbed my hair and started pulling. I’m not sure if it was the pain or the embarrassment, but I made it over. Today I can say that I was thankful he was there. He made sure nothing happened to me.

Maybe that’s what the writer is trying to say when he calls God his “refuge,” “fortress” and protector. We need that reminder that God is with us always, seeking to guide us, willing to listen to us and always ready to pull us up and over when we seem to have lost our footing. It’s a good reminder as we begin this Lenten season.

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Pray

Almighty God, as we begin this Lenten season, help us remember that we make this journey, not alone, but with you as our fortress and refuge. You are our hope. Amen.

Go with God!