In my latest video-blog I read the entire chapter of Psalm 16, and shared seven bullet points with you. Today, I’d like to dig a little deeper into this chapter using those bullet points; one for each new journal entry.
Bullet point #1: Depend on the Lord. Not others. Man will let you down. Have you ever heard the term “Just F.R.O.G. It”. FROG means to fully rely on God. I pray that you will live a F.R.O.G. life daily.
When you read verse one in the following three translations, take notice of the variations of the word depend, and the first portion of the sentence.
Protect me, God, because I depend on you. (ERV)
Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. (MSG)
Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. (NASB)
Depend/run for dear life to you/take refuge…all these terms seem to allow us to feel a sense of urgency in the writer’s plea to his sovereign God.
If you’ve ever read or studied anything about David, you see the realness in him, and how he often has someone chasing after him. David, although a flawed man, always knew Who to run to, and that he could depend on the Lord. After all, he is called a man after God’s own heart. He quite frequently chased after God when he was being chased.
Have you felt like David at times like you are always on the run? Maybe you are running from someone, something, a situation, or even God Himself. Whatever season of your life you are in that keeps you bringing out your Olympic track self, please know that you can always, and should always, run to God, not from Him…flaws and all.
Now look at the “why” portion of the sentence…”why” should you depend/run for dear life to you/take refuge in the Lord? Because He will protect, preserve, and keep you safe. I don’t know about you, but I seem to take a deep breath of relief knowing that I have The Protector on my side.
There have been numerous times in my life when I have fully relied on God. When I tried to take care of situations on my own or trusted someone else to solve my problem, well…it didn’t always turn out so well. Yet, every time I ran for dear life to my Heavenly Father, He was and is always there.
I pray that you will take refuge in The One who will keep you safe.
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. Psalm 18:2 NIV
If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles. The Lord’s angel builds a camp around his followers, and he protects them. Give the Lord a chance to show you how good he is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on him! Psalm 34:5-8 ERV
You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. Psalm 91:1-4 ERV (Oh, just go ahead and read the whole chapter!)
The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. Psalm 27:1-3 NLT (Again…just read the whole chapter.)
Okay, I can’t let David have all the fun; here’s a word from Jesus from the book of John:
“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV
Do you see how He is there for you, AND that He has already overcome the world? Take a breath and F.R.O.G. today.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie