14 day plan

Intimacy with God - Part 2

Day 10 of 14

NIV

Psalms 17:8

8Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

Reflection:  I once brought myself consciously into Jesus’ presence and knelt before him. I’d done so because evil and suffering were threatening me. What I saw next in my mind’s eye amazed me. Jesus’ wing reached round and over me to protect me. It was a wonderful feeling, but pretty odd. I’d never thought of Jesus (or God) presenting himself as someone who had wings, so I looked it up in the Bible. And there it was. The imagery occurs once in Ruth (Ruth 2:12), five times in the Psalms, and once with Jesus when he said, ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing (Matthew 23:37).

Do be willing, and allow him to gather you under his wings.

Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, you are my refuge, the safe place I can run to. I am overwhelmed and amazed by your care. You are truly wonderful.

Psalms 17:1-15

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

1Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;

listen to my cry.

Hear my prayer—

it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2Let my vindication come from you;

may your eyes see what is right.

3Though you probe my heart,

though you examine me at night and test me,

you will find that I have planned no evil;

my mouth has not transgressed.

4Though people tried to bribe me,

I have kept myself from the ways of the violent

through what your lips have commanded.

5My steps have held to your paths;

my feet have not stumbled.

6I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7Show me the wonders of your great love,

you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

9from the wicked who are out to destroy me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10They close up their callous hearts,

and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11They have tracked me down, they now surround me,

with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12They are like a lion hungry for prey,

like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;

with your sword rescue me from the wicked.

14By your hand save me from such people, Lord,

from those of this world whose reward is in this life.

May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;

may their children gorge themselves on it,

and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

15As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;

when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.