It’s Simple — Place Your Confidence in God
Amazing words of affirmation
Hi friends,
I pray that this email finds you well and thriving. As we counted our blessings in October, it reminded me to focus on the good things.
This month of November in Growing through God’s Word on Facebook, we are learning to be quiet before God. It’s called, “Be Quiet for Five.”
Before I study a verse, I ask God to open His word to my heart and mind.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2, NIV)He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. (Psalms 91:2, TPT)
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalms 91:2, NLT)
Word study
The psalmist is speaking to God. And he knows that God supplies:
Refuge — shelter, protection
Fortress — fortified place, stronghold
Place of safety — place of security
Shelter — affords protection
Confidence — assurance, trust
I looked up other scriptures.
Trust — Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, and stronghold — Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (NIV)
Everlasting rock — Isaiah 26:3–4
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (NIV)
A strong tower — Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe. (NIV)
God reminded me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
I felt as if God were a companion, walking with me.
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)
I was reminded of the storm (Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25) when Jesus was asleep and the disciples only saw the storm. When they took their eyes from the storm and onto Jesus, the storm stopped. We are called to pray for this strength and wisdom and stay with Jesus through all things.
May I pray for you and me?
Heavenly Father, You teach us so much when we take 5 minutes to listen. Today, we learned to “walk with” Jesus. He is our constant companion. And if we are somehow separated, He has given us a pager (called prayer). Thank You Jesus for being with us always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Remember that you can always email me for prayer or comment in Substack.
Janis Cox is a blogger, author/illustrator, and publisher.
She began journaling while reading the Bible to deepen her faith. Inspired by God’s call, she now encourages others to read the Bible and grow in their faith. Join her in the Growing through God’s Word Facebook group to learn more.
You can also check out her books on Amazon, but please note that Amazon sometimes adds unrelated books to her page. Be sure to look for her name on the cover.
Amen.
Thank you, Jan.