The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide "By My Side" Saturday, 22 February 2014 - Read Psalm 18

The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide "By My Side" Saturday, 22 February 2014 - Read Psalm 18: For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,

1 I love you, Yahweh, my strength.

2 Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer;

    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

3 I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised;

    and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death surrounded me.

    The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

5 The cords of Sheol[a] were around me.

    The snares of death came on me.

6 In my distress I called on Yahweh,

    and cried to my God.

He heard my voice out of his temple.

    My cry before him came into his ears.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 18:5 Sheol is the place of the dead.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.--Psalm 145:18-19 (NRSV)

Two years ago, when I was in middle school, I was injured while playing football. After I was moved off the field and onto the sideline, our team’s athletic trainer began to examine me. My mom was on the other side of the field in the stands, watching the entire event. I eventually told the athletic trainer that I needed to call my mom and tell her to come over to the table where I was being treated. As soon as she received the call, she and my sister ran to my side. The Bible says that when we pray to the Lord, no matter the reason, he will always give us an answer. Just like my mom did for me, God will help us if we ask. The Lord will always give refuge, help, and strength to those who need and request it.--The Author-Trent Somes, III (Pennsylvania, USA)

Thought for the Day: Go to devotional.upperroom.org/blog to see a picture of Trent with his mother and sister.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to turn to you when we are in need and remember that you love us always. Thank you for your son, Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen.

Prayer focus: Athletic trainers

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