The Verse of the Day

-August 1, 2020-

Good morning happy Saturday,

-You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

(Psalm 119:114).

2020 is the year of the Coronavirus pandemic. To add to that there was been widespread social protests over black peoples rights and police brutality. The calls for change are sweeping across our nation. Today is the first day of August. It has now been just over four months since we have been sheltering in place. We opened up businesses and loosened many restrictions but now the pandemic is worse is most every state.

It is something we pray about every day. Health experts tell us that if we would all wear face coverings everywhere we go outside our homes, practice social distancing, wash our hands frequently, and avoid large crowds, we would start to see an improvement of about fifty percent. It seems so simple and it is but many people are rebelling.

In the midst of all these problems we face, we need the Lord to guide us, help us, and encourage us. It reminds me of the simple yet powerful message of the gospel. It is good news and offers us eternal life through receiving Jesus Christ. Luke 19:14 summarizes the sentiments of so many in response to Christ, “But his citizens sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man reign over us.’” This verse is part of a parable Jesus told the people.

Thank God we listened to the gospel, confessed our sins, repented, and believed in Jesus, receiving Him as Lord and Savior. The psalmist tells us, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” Oh how we need Jesus as our hiding place in these dark, uncertain days! I do not know how people make it without Christ!

A hiding place is a place of safety from all the problems, pains, and sorrows of life. We can run to the Lord and find comfort, encouragement, protection, and help. It also says in Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.”

What a wonderful blessing to have such a hiding place. David the writer of Psalm 32 found the Lord’s protection and help through many troubles and afflictions. Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy spend ten months in Nazi concentration camps in WWII. Corrie later wrote a book, entitled, “The Hiding Place.” It was also made into a movie. The Lord brought her through these horrible and deplorable conditions to eventual release. She served the Lord after that, helping and encouraging so many. Before their capture, her family hid many Jews and helped them escape from the Nazis. The title of the book has a double meaning: she and her family provided a hiding place for the Jews and the Lord was her hiding during her imprisonment.

Is Jesus your hiding place? Do you seek Him and His Word in times of trouble? Man cannot help us, only Christ is our hiding place. We often look for our own solutions, remedies, and resources but they do not work. We need our Lord at all times. Let us draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. May we pour out our hearts to Him in prayer and trust Him for His help. The Word of God is our lifeline daily.

Have blessed day with Jesus, our hiding place. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean