Thanks To God, Our Shelter

The Lord reigns forever,

executing judgment from his throne.

He will judge the world with justice

and rule the nations with fairness.

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 9:7-9

David certainly had times of trouble in his life. He had been a fugitive, fleeing from Saul, the most powerful man in the land (1 Samuel 23:25). Another time, even David’s son turned against him (2 Samuel 15:13). So when David praised the Lord for being a shelter for the oppressed and a refuge in times of trouble, he wasn’t talking about hypothetical, abstract concepts. Putting his trust in God was a life-and-death matter, and God had never abandoned him.

In times of trouble, remember that God is watching over us. He will never abandon those who call on him.

• Dear Lord, thank you that we can find shelter in you, who never abandons any who come to you . . .