Wednesday, January 21st | Daily Devotion
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me. You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. -Psalm 31:1-4
TRANSCRIPTION:
Great morning, great morning. God bless each and every one of you. I pray that all is well on this incredible Wednesday morning. I’m Dr. Powell, and we’re here with our weekday morning devotional. And of course, as we are still in this wonderful month of January, we’ve been couched in the book of Psalms.
As we’ve been moving in a spirit-led way, this morning God led me to Psalm 31. I pray that this will bless you as it has blessed me. As we’ve done each day, I’ll read a portion of it, and the remainder of the scripture you’ll read in your free time so that you can garner your own revelation. But this will help jumpstart our understanding and give us some marching orders.
“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me. You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.” And it goes on.
This is an interesting Psalm because David echoes a sentiment that is somewhat unusual. Often, we derive our understanding of favor based on surrounding circumstances or even from other people. But this Psalm contrasts that idea. It speaks to favor existing even in the absence of favor from people.
David is saying that the evidence of God’s hand in our lives works in complete opposition to what we may be experiencing around us. While we may see a lack of favor from people we can touch, see, and engage with, he says, beyond all of that, God is our favor. God is our fortress.
David takes this moment to identify God’s movement in his life even when those around him are not showing him favor. And many of us can identify with that. Many of us can testify that God’s favor supersedes surrounding circumstances.
David is in a place where his enemies seem to have the upper hand, yet he still declares that he has favor. It’s a defiant stance—a reminder that as children of God, we are not subject to only what is tangible around us. God can move and maneuver in ways we cannot think, dream, or imagine.
There are moments in our lives when people rise up against us, but that does not mean we are not operating in favor. There are times when the odds are stacked against us, but that does not mean God’s hand is absent. In fact, those moments often set the stage for God to truly reveal His power.
So I want to encourage you on this Wednesday. Regardless of what you’re dealing with or facing, those situations and those individuals may simply be setting the stage for God to be God. And when you find yourself backed up against adversity, it’s almost time to get the popcorn—because God is getting ready to show up and show out.
That’s David’s prayer: don’t let me be deterred by what I see or feel, but allow me to hold on to something everlasting and eternal—Your consistency and Your help in my life.
I pray that this Wednesday you are encouraged. Not just encouraged, but empowered. And even when things rise against you, you will continue to move forward by faith and by grace, declaring what thus says the Lord as a child of God. God bless you. Have an incredible Wednesday.