The Upper Room Devotion for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, was written by Maureen M. Lewicki of New York.
Scripture
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46:1-7 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
On a particularly diffcult day of teaching, I left a tense committee meeting and walked quickly down the hallway with clenched fists, looking down at my feet. When I glanced up, I saw a sign with the words "Area of Refuge." Refuge. What an extraordinary word, I thought. My heart reminded me of Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." I took a deep breath, grateful for this reminder that God is my refuge, always accessible to provide safety and protection.
The bell rang to mark the end of a class period. But even as the students poured out of classrooms and flooded the hallway, I could feel my heart slowing down, my breathing regulating and even my fisted hands relaxing. I thanked God for being my refuge. I still had more difficult meetings ahead of me, but the image of the sign stayed in my mind, reminding me that God, my refuge and strength, was always available to me.
Author's Prayer
Thank you, God, for being available to us in our hour of need. Thank you for being our refuge, our help, our strong tower. Amen.
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