The salvation of the just is from the Lord;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him. (Ps 37:39-40)
As we grow up, we quickly learn that actions have consequences, both good and bad. When we do something wrong, we get punished. When we do something good, a reward often awaits us. It starts, however, with our doing something or neglecting to do something.
We encounter that same kind of thought in regard to God. “The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them.”
Ah, but here is the kicker. Why does he save them? “Because they take refuge in him.”
We forget that God is waiting for some kind of initiating moment on our part before He helps us. I often think of the Gospel stories that end, “And He could do very little there because of their lack of faith.”
If we want God to protect us, to deliver us, to save us, we have to ask Him for His help and take refuge in Him. We cannot live outside of God’s love and commandments and then expect Him to protect us. We incur consequences for our lack of faith, our lack of trust.
If we want God in our lives, we have to invite Him in and cultivate that relationship just as we would any relationship here on earth that may be important to us.
FAITH ACTION: Carve out some time today merely to sit in silence with the Lord in order to deepen your relationship with Him.