Top Ten of 2023: The Shelter of God’s Presence – #5

The message of the angels in Bethlehem was for the shepherds and for you, for me, for us. Our Savior is born and it means we can be born again, made new! Merry Christmas, my dear friend. May the good news of great joy fill your heart to overflowing as you listen. And now here’s the 5th most downloaded episode in 2023… the shelter of God’s presence!

Special thanks to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, for bringing us the Bible For Busy People this Christmas season!

Show Notes:

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Transcription:

The message of the angels in Bethlehem was for the shepherds and for you, for me, for us. Our Savior is born and it means we can be born again, made new! Merry Christmas, my dear friend. May the good news of great joy fill your heart to overflowing as you listen. And now here’s the 5th most downloaded episode in 2023… the shelter of God’s presence!

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for Joy Bombs in the Psalms on the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, and I’m so glad you’re here. Boy, I hope you’re enjoying studying the book of Esther in the Bible as much as I am. We’re going to be picking that up on Monday. Maybe tell a friend, invite them to listen to this podcast. It feels so good to spend a few minutes in God’s word every single day, and I am so grateful for your company. So, tell a friend today. Hey, we’re going to be in Psalm 31 today, and I chose this one for a very specific reason. in the story of Queen Esther, the enemy is very clear. Mordecai and Queen Esther and all of their people are in danger of being annihilated because of the hatred and jealousy of one man. They had a real flesh and blood enemy, and sometimes our enemies can look a little different.

Sometimes it’s the anxiety that rises up in us. Sometimes it is a real person who hurts us or who is out to get us, but enemies can take many forms. The common denominator we all have as believers in Jesus Christ, and if you’re not a believer, I call you a future family member, <laugh>, because we are a family and everybody is invited into this family because of what Jesus did on the cross. The common denominator we have is that God fights for us. He tells us in his Word over and over. So, whoever or whatever your enemy is today, God is with you in the battle. Alright, you ready? Join me in Psalm 31 right there in the middle of your Bible.

Oh Lord, I have come to you for protection. Don’t let me be disgraced. Save me for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me. For I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand.

Oh, let’s just pause there for a moment. Let’s just say that to God. God, I entrust my spirit into your hand. Oh, God’s hands are the safest place to put your spirit, because his hands are nail scarred. The hands of Jesus were nailed to a cross. He bled and died for you to take away your sins and wash them away forever. You can entrust your spirit into his hands.

Rescue me Lord, for you are a faithful God. I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord.

Let’s say it with the psalmist today.

Lord, we trust in you. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love for you have seen my troubles.

You know, God saw the troubles of Esther and Mordecai and he sees your troubles.

And you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemies, but have set me in a safe place. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress, tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief. My years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength. I am wasting away from within. I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors. Even my friends are afraid to come near me when they see me on the street, they run the other way. I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.

I imagine this is how Mordecai was feeling in the story of Esther, right? Just cast aside forsaken, but he wasn’t.

I have heard the many rumors about me and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. But I am trusting you, oh Lord, saying you are my God. My future is in your hands.

God’s hands are a safe place to entrust your spirit and your future.

Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant in your unfailing love. Rescue me. Don’t let me be disgraced, oh Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced. Let them lie silent in the grave. Silence their lying lips, those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the Godly. How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you? You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the Lord for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. In panic, I cried out I am cut off from the Lord. But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Love the Lord, all you godly ones for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. So be strong and courageous. All you who put your hope in the Lord.

I love this Psalm so much because the author, I believe it was King David, is so distressed. His enemies are accusing him and hunting him down and he feels cast aside. I think it was a broken pot that he said he felt like. Think about that for a moment. He starts out and he is so distressed and then he gets to praising. And then he gets us to praising. He turns it around at the end toward us. Love the Lord all you godly ones, encouragement is contagious. You and I can find shelter in the presence of the Lord our God. He is faithful. He will take care of you. So, be strong and courageous. All right, speaking of strong and courageous, we continue the saga of the story of Queen Esther next time. Can’t wait until then. You are loved.

Thank you for making space to study the Bible with me today. If you feel something stirring in your soul, that’s the God who made you, saying, I love you and I want to know you. It’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus came for you so that your soul would know its worth. He came to bring joy to the world, and to your world. It’s the most beautiful love story ever written, and it’s true. It’s the greatest rescue mission in history, and it was for you. If you want to respond to that stirring in your soul, to know Jesus a little better, please take a moment and check out our show notes, where you’ll find lots of hope and encouragement for your journey.

The Bible for Busy people is brought to you this Christmas season by Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Every day and every night, their team is on a mission to share the good news with our neighbors who are homeless. Like the angels who came on the night, Jesus was born. They make sure that every person who walks through the doors of the Mission knows that there is hope because Jesus came, and how much He loves them. Every person they meet on the street encounters the love of Christ through a friendly smile, a warm blanket, a cup of cocoa, and an invitation to take that next step toward healing from addiction or mental illness. If you want to be part of making sure every soul knows its worth in Seattle this Christmas, volunteer or donate at ugm.org. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

This podcast is one branch of a Christmas tree called Purposely, a network designed to connect you with life-giving conversations, and to inspire you to find and live out God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.