How great is your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in you. You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues. May the Lord be praised for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me in a city under siege.  Psalm 31:19 HCSB

Have you ever felt like a city under siege? I know that it seems to have become common for me in one area of my life or the other. When we commit our lives to Christ, the devil commits to distract us in an attempt to destroy us. But we have a choice. We don’t have to submit to the devil and we don’t have to submit to our fear of him. We can submit to Christ. We can choose to live hidden safe and sound in the protection of His presence. Psalm 91:1 tells us that if we choose to live in His protection we will dwell in His shadow. As a little girl, I knew that while standing in my dad’s shadow no harm was going to come to me. I felt safe and secure. I felt sheltered.

But there are times as an adult when I feel as though I am standing in the middle of a storm holding a lightning rod. But I have come to learn that God protects me even when I make mistakes. God protects me when I trust in Him. God is there for me He is my refuge and my fortress.

There have been so many times when I thought that my life was falling apart only to find out that God was just shaking it up and shaking it out so that the pieces could fall into place. Bethel Worship has a song out called the Goodness of God which has been stuck in my head since I heard it yesterday. It’s lyrics say, “All my life you have been faithful. All my life you have been so, so good.”

I think back to all those times that I was foolish enough to fight against people in my life not understanding that it was a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10). There have been so many times that I have tried to go into battle without my armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). How foolish was that? But through it all God was good. God is good all the time. But we have to trust in Him. We have to seek Him with our whole hearts. We must fight against the devil and his distractions.

The best thing about it all is that when we seek refuge in God’s shelter, he not only shelters us, but he provides goodness for us. Psalm 23:5-6, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.

The devil wants to harm me, but God protects me. The devil wants evil to enter in and steal my joy, but God gives me abundant life. I have tasted the LORD and seen that He is good (Psalm 34:8). I will dwell in His house forever. I pray that you will do the same. You can’t possibly know how good God truly is until you submit and surrender to Him and enter into that intense relationship with Him.

When we hide in His shelter it doesn’t matter what schemes the devil uses to distract and attack us, we will be safe and protected and it will work out for our good (Romans 8:28).

Have a great day!