From the Edges – Pursued – A Morning Devotional

From the Edges – Morning Devotional 2-29-24

LENT – Day 14 Pursued

Scripture: Psalm 57:1-3 (NIV)

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.”

Are you feeling pursued? The answer is more than likely yes if you are honest with yourself and the question. In the wilderness of life, it seems as if there are many things pursuing us. In the 40 days in the wilderness Jesus experienced Satan pursuing him with temptations. I recently understood that though we have been conditioned to believe there were only three temptations. Read Mark 1:13 “and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels attended him.”

I think this tells us that the temptations were constant and in our life, we will never escape temptations. We will be tempted in big and small ways because of the pursuit of Satan. It isn’t that Satan is that interested in us, but instead interested in dominion over all things. But a way was made for care, because Jesus took to heart, mind, and soul the teachings of the “Father” he stood against everything that was pursuing him. So can you!

The scripture this morning from Psalm 57 was most likely written by David in the rugged wilderness of life, where adversity and pursuit are crashing in against David’s mind, body, and soul. David found himself relentlessly pursued. Yet, while being pursued, David’s heart remained firm in God. I know David made mistakes and was sinful but always in praise and trust he overcame his recklessness to constantly praise and to love God. Regardless of who or what was pursuing him. So, what about you in this same scenario?

Psalm 57 reflects David’s heart cry in the face of danger. Imagine the scene of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted, think about David, seeking refuge in a cave to hide from the one pursuing. Think about yourself and what you are allowing to pursue or even tempt you away from your relationship with Jesus. However, in the midst of the wilderness, you are being attended to, this is what we need to realize is what we should be focusing on. We need to answer the question “Where or in what will I seek shelter ?”

May David’s prayer become our prayer for today – Have Mercy on me – for in you I will take my refuge.” Now do it, take refuge in the Lord.