Introduction

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. – Nahum 1:7

How beautiful of a verse! So many awesome truths in one sentence! The Lord is Good! Such a simple truth that is so essential for us as believers to truly realize as we trust in the great I Am who died for us on a cross so that we can have eternal life! No motives. No conditions. Just goodness. For me! For you! For us! Do you ever ponder that and just are blown away?

A stronghold is defined as “a fortified place or place of security or survival.” God is our security. I have to admit, I have all the tears when I look at that definition. God isn’t just saying, “Trust me, I am good.” He is adding, “Let me keep you safe.”

But as if that wasn’t enough, he goes on to remind us that He knows us. The God of the universe KNOWS US. When we are scared and look to take refuge in him, the Lord is gracious to tell us that we are not strangers–we are his children. This one verse reminds us that no matter what we face, good or bad, in this fallen world, God is right there protecting, loving, caring, providing refuge for us. Could there be any more of a beautiful truth than that?

Just in case you miss this verse, God repeats it throughout scripture:

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. – Psalm 37:39

O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth … – Jeremiah 16:19a

… I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:20b

… I will never leave you nor forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5

Adoration

God-We adore you! You are all-powerful, all-together worthy, your power and majesty are greater than all the earth!

The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. – Nahum 1:5

We worship you, Father, and your greatness. Amen.

Confession

“O Father, we are gathered before you, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, whose chosen dwelling place is with the broken and contrite, to confess that we have sinned in thought and word and deed; we have not loved you with all our heart and soul, we have not loved you with all our mind and strength; we have not even loved our neighbor as ourselves. In your mercy, deepen our sorrow for the wrong we have done and for the good we have left undone, so that we may hate our sin with a holy hatred. But, please Father, do not leave us in sorrow. With you, O Lord, there is forgiveness. In your mercy,restore the joy of our salvation; so that we may love you with a holy love. Amen. ” – Missio Dei Confessional.

We confess that often times, we do not turn to you in times of trouble, but instead try to fix or control things on our own. Please forgive us for trying to do things in our own strength, separate from you. Forgive us for seeking you as an afterthought to what is going on in our lives. Help us to remember you are always with us, protecting us, guiding us, shielding us and loving us. Amen.

Thanksgiving

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise For the LORD is ia great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. – Psalm 95:1-11

Thank you Father God for knowing us inside out. thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us. Thank you for being our strong tower when we are weak. Thank you for moving mountains and being an ever present refuge to us. Amen

Supplication

Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see sour desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” – Daniel 9:17-19

Lift up your family requests. How can we pray for you today?

Local Church
Pray that your local church continues to be a light for the community, that the church shares the love of God to the ends of the earth. Pray that the local church becomes a new home for many this Easter Sunday! Pray that those within the church who are sick stay healthy.

Community

Pray for your community, that the lost are found and the found grow closer to the Lord. Pray that natural disasters cause no damage and that God’s community is protected from harm.

World
Pray for the Ukraine/Russia Conflict. Pray for softening of hearts, persevering of the saints, provisions and safety of civilians, God’s glory to be shown throughout the war. Pray that Russian elites have courage and stand up to Putin to overthrow him during this time and bring peace to the region. Pray that those displaced can return home soon. Pray for the financial consequences of war on society that God continues to meets the needs of His people. Pray for those who are hurting internationally and nationally. Pray for the missionaries carrying out the message of God.