November 20

Morning

You defend my cause, O Lord; You redeem my life. — Lam 3:58 BSB

Notice how confidently the prophet speaks. He doesn’t say, “I hope, I trust, I sometimes think that God has pleaded the case of my soul.” No, he speaks of it as a settled fact: “You have pleaded the case of my soul.” Let us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, shake off the doubts and fears that disturb our peace and joy. Let this be our prayer, that we may be done with the harsh voice of doubt and suspicion and learn to speak with the clear, sweet voice of full assurance.

Also, notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, giving all the glory to God! You’ll see there isn’t a word about himself or his own efforts. He doesn’t credit his deliverance to anyone else, much less to his own merit. It’s all, “You—O Lord, You have pleaded the case of my soul. You have redeemed my life.” Christians should cultivate a grateful spirit. Especially after deliverances, we should be ready to sing a song of thanks to our God. This earth should be like a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be like an altar burning with the sweet incense of thanksgiving.

See how joyful Jeremiah is as he recounts the Lord’s mercy! How triumphantly he praises God! Though he had been in the depths of the dungeon and was still the weeping prophet, even in the book of “Lamentations,” we hear his voice rising to heaven, “You have pleaded the case of my soul; You have redeemed my life!” O children of God, seek to experience the Lord’s kindness in your own lives, and when you do, speak of it confidently, sing of it gratefully, and shout about it triumphantly!

Evening

the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks; — Prov 30:26 BSB

Conscious of their own weakness, the coneys (small, defenseless animals) hide in the clefts of rocky cliffs, safe from their enemies.

My heart, take a lesson from these feeble creatures. You are just as weak and vulnerable to danger as they are. Strive to be as wise as they are and seek shelter in the right place. Your best protection is in the unshakable refuge of the immutable Jehovah, where His promises stand like towering cliffs of rock. It will be well with you, my heart, if you continually take refuge in the strength of His divine attributes, which guarantee safety to those who trust in Him.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, I have found this safety! Like David in the cave of Adullam, I’ve experienced protection from the cruelty of my enemy. I know the blessing of trusting in the Lord, for when Satan and my sins pursued me, I fled to the cleft of the Rock—Christ Jesus! And in His wounded side, I found a sweet and secure resting place!

My heart, run to Him again today, no matter what your troubles may be. Jesus cares for you! Jesus will comfort and help you!

No king in his mighty fortress is more secure than the coney in its rocky refuge. The greatest monarch, with ten thousand chariots at his command, is no better protected than the little animal hidden in the cleft of the rock. In Jesus, the weak are made strong, and the defenseless are safe! They couldn’t be stronger if they were giants, nor safer if they were already in heaven! Faith gives us, even while on earth, the protection of the God of heaven. Nothing more is needed, and nothing more should be desired.

The coneys can’t build their own fortress, but they take advantage of the shelter that’s already there. Likewise, I can’t make a refuge for myself, but Jesus has provided one. His Father has given it, His Spirit has revealed it, and I will enter into it again today, safe from every foe!