Rejoicing in God's Refuge

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which he wrote completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11–12, ESV)

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy… 

Heavenly Father, it is a great comfort for me to know that I have a place to run in times of struggle and trial. You are my refuge, a shelter in the storm, a fortress in the midst of the battle. 

Yet, so often I try to fight in my own strength. Even though I have you for my fortress in the battle, I am constantly running out of the fortress trying to fight the battle on my own—in my own strength. I end up walking home beaten and bruised from the fight—weak and weary. I’m not strong enough to fight on my own. Father, forgive me for trying to fight these battles on my own. Remind me to run into your fortress in the midst of battle, and trust you to give me shelter and strength for battle. 

Father, that’s when my mouth will shout for joy. It’s when I finally stop relying on my own strength that I begin to experience the joy of my salvation. That’s when my heart overflows into song and I keep on singing forever and ever.

Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Father, that’s why I continue asking you to protect me. You have protected me in my previous battles. I keep looking to you to protect me in my current battles. I will keep trusting you to protect me in future battles. You have been a faithful fortress for me over the years, and I will continue to trust you for the years to come. So, Father, keep protecting me. 

And then, Father, I will continue to exalt your name. I will shout your praises from the rooftops so the whole world will know that You are the God who protects His people in the midst of battle. You are the God who strengthens me to persevere in troubled times. You are the God who lifts up my head when I’m downcast. You are the God who leads me safely through the valley of the shadow of death. So, I will shout your praises for the world to hear. I want them to know who you are. I want them to trust you for who you are so they can experience the same peace and joy that you’ve given me. 

For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Father, it amazes me the way you bless those who follow you. You bless the righteous. Yet, I know that I’m not righteous in my strength. When I’m honest with myself, I’m a messed up sinner. Yet, through your Son—Jesus Christ—I have been forgiven from my sin and counted me righteous in Christ. Father, You did that for me. Then, after you made me righteous in Christ, then you keep pouring out your blessing on me. Your blessing has surrounded me—coming before, beside, and after me. 

Father, your blessing is like a shield around me. It’s incredible for me to think that you protect me through your blessing—your favor. Your blessing is not just a helmet to protect my head, or a breastplate to protect my chest, but a shield that protects my whole body. 

Father, I don’t deserve any of this, yet you continue to give it to me anyway. Thank you. You are a good and faithful God. Help me continue looking to you for strength, protection, and blessing no matter what situation I find myself. Then, open my mouth to praise you—to lift your name on high for all the world to see.