Monday
A Cry for Help
Psalm 28:1-2 (ESV) “To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.”
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton placed an ad in a London newspaper to recruit men for his Antarctic expedition. It read: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, safe return doubtful.” Despite the grim honesty, thousands applied. When their ship, the Endurance, was eventually crushed by ice, the men spent months in a desperate state of waiting and survival. Their only hope was the persistent belief that someone was listening to their distress signals and that a rescue was possible. They lived in the tension between a silent horizon and the desperate need for a response.
David begins Psalm 28 in a similar state of desperation. He calls God his "rock," an image of stability, yet he feels the terrifying weight of God’s silence. For the believer, silence from heaven can feel like a spiritual death sentence, as David says, "I become like those who go down to the pit."
Prayer and fasting aren't about polite requests; they are about recognizing our total dependence on a God who must speak for us to survive. David’s lifted hands are a physical sign of surrender and expectation, directed toward the sanctuary where God’s presence dwells. He teaches us that even when we feel ignored, the act of crying out is an act of faith that God is, in fact, there.
Reflection Questions:
● In this 21-day season of Refocus at Second, what is the "hazardous journey" or "bitter cold" situation you are asking God to speak into?
● How does viewing God as your "rock" change the way you handle seasons of apparent silence?
Suggested Prayer: Lord, my Rock, I lift my hands to You in total dependence, trusting that You hear my cry for mercy even when I cannot yet hear Your voice. Amen.
Psalm 28:1-2 (ESV) “To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.”
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton placed an ad in a London newspaper to recruit men for his Antarctic expedition. It read: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, safe return doubtful.” Despite the grim honesty, thousands applied. When their ship, the Endurance, was eventually crushed by ice, the men spent months in a desperate state of waiting and survival. Their only hope was the persistent belief that someone was listening to their distress signals and that a rescue was possible. They lived in the tension between a silent horizon and the desperate need for a response.
David begins Psalm 28 in a similar state of desperation. He calls God his "rock," an image of stability, yet he feels the terrifying weight of God’s silence. For the believer, silence from heaven can feel like a spiritual death sentence, as David says, "I become like those who go down to the pit."
Prayer and fasting aren't about polite requests; they are about recognizing our total dependence on a God who must speak for us to survive. David’s lifted hands are a physical sign of surrender and expectation, directed toward the sanctuary where God’s presence dwells. He teaches us that even when we feel ignored, the act of crying out is an act of faith that God is, in fact, there.
Reflection Questions:
● In this 21-day season of Refocus at Second, what is the "hazardous journey" or "bitter cold" situation you are asking God to speak into?
● How does viewing God as your "rock" change the way you handle seasons of apparent silence?
Suggested Prayer: Lord, my Rock, I lift my hands to You in total dependence, trusting that You hear my cry for mercy even when I cannot yet hear Your voice. Amen.
Tuesday
The Reality of the Struggle
Psalm 28:3-5 (ESV) “Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.”
In the early 20th century, the infamous "Ponzi scheme" was born when Charles Ponzi promised investors massive returns while actually using new investors' money to pay off old ones. He spoke "friendly words" to his neighbors in Boston, appearing to be a financial savior while secretly planning a deception that would ruin thousands of families. His outward charm masked a heart that cared nothing for justice or the labor of others. Eventually, the facade crumbled, leaving him with nothing.
David’s prayer takes a sharp turn into the reality of the struggle against the "wicked." He is concerned about the influence of those who are double-minded, those who talk of peace but harbor malice. This is the "unanswered prayer" dilemma: Why does it seem like the dishonest prosper while the faithful suffer? David isn't just venting; he is appealing to God’s justice. He notes that the root of their evil is a refusal to acknowledge what the Lord has done.
During these 21 days of fasting, we refocus our eyes to see the world as it truly is: a place of spiritual warfare where integrity matters. We pray that God will distinguish us from the values of a world that ignores His works, asking Him to build us up as the structures of evil eventually fall.
Reflection Questions:
● Where in your life are you tempted to "speak peace" while harboring a different heart?
● How can you spend time today specifically noticing "the works of the Lord" in the world around you?
Suggested Prayer: Father, protect my heart from the influence of a world that ignores You. Help me to be a person of true integrity, and teach me to honor the works of Your hands in all I do. Amen.
Psalm 28:3-5 (ESV) “Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.”
In the early 20th century, the infamous "Ponzi scheme" was born when Charles Ponzi promised investors massive returns while actually using new investors' money to pay off old ones. He spoke "friendly words" to his neighbors in Boston, appearing to be a financial savior while secretly planning a deception that would ruin thousands of families. His outward charm masked a heart that cared nothing for justice or the labor of others. Eventually, the facade crumbled, leaving him with nothing.
David’s prayer takes a sharp turn into the reality of the struggle against the "wicked." He is concerned about the influence of those who are double-minded, those who talk of peace but harbor malice. This is the "unanswered prayer" dilemma: Why does it seem like the dishonest prosper while the faithful suffer? David isn't just venting; he is appealing to God’s justice. He notes that the root of their evil is a refusal to acknowledge what the Lord has done.
During these 21 days of fasting, we refocus our eyes to see the world as it truly is: a place of spiritual warfare where integrity matters. We pray that God will distinguish us from the values of a world that ignores His works, asking Him to build us up as the structures of evil eventually fall.
Reflection Questions:
● Where in your life are you tempted to "speak peace" while harboring a different heart?
● How can you spend time today specifically noticing "the works of the Lord" in the world around you?
Suggested Prayer: Father, protect my heart from the influence of a world that ignores You. Help me to be a person of true integrity, and teach me to honor the works of Your hands in all I do. Amen.
Wednesday
Praising While Waiting
Psalm 28:6-7 (ESV) “Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
During the American Civil War, telegraph operators often sat in silence for hours, waiting for the "click-clack" of the machine to bring news from the front lines. Sometimes the message was intercepted or delayed, but a skilled operator could recognize the distinct "touch" of a specific sender even before the full message was decoded. The moment they heard that familiar rhythm, their posture changed. They knew the message was coming, even before they knew exactly what it said.
David experiences a similar shift in Psalm 28. Between verse 5 and verse 6, something changes. He hasn't necessarily seen the physical rescue yet, but he has "heard" the familiar touch of God’s presence. He moves from asking God to hear (v. 2) to declaring that He "has heard" (v. 6). This is the essence of praising while waiting. David identifies God as his "strength" (internal power) and his "shield" (external protection). This isn't a quiet, reserved gratitude; it is a "heart exulting" in song.
Fasting often highlights our physical weakness, but it is designed to make us more sensitive to God’s "rhythm." We can praise Him mid-fast, not because the problem is gone, but because we trust the Character of the one sending the message.
Reflection Questions:
● Can you think of a time when you felt God's peace before your circumstances actually changed?
● What "song of thanksgiving" can you offer today, even if you are still in the middle of a difficult season?
Suggested Prayer: Blessed be You, Lord, for You have heard my cry! I choose to trust You with all my heart today, knowing that Your help is on the way. Amen.
Psalm 28:6-7 (ESV) “Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
During the American Civil War, telegraph operators often sat in silence for hours, waiting for the "click-clack" of the machine to bring news from the front lines. Sometimes the message was intercepted or delayed, but a skilled operator could recognize the distinct "touch" of a specific sender even before the full message was decoded. The moment they heard that familiar rhythm, their posture changed. They knew the message was coming, even before they knew exactly what it said.
David experiences a similar shift in Psalm 28. Between verse 5 and verse 6, something changes. He hasn't necessarily seen the physical rescue yet, but he has "heard" the familiar touch of God’s presence. He moves from asking God to hear (v. 2) to declaring that He "has heard" (v. 6). This is the essence of praising while waiting. David identifies God as his "strength" (internal power) and his "shield" (external protection). This isn't a quiet, reserved gratitude; it is a "heart exulting" in song.
Fasting often highlights our physical weakness, but it is designed to make us more sensitive to God’s "rhythm." We can praise Him mid-fast, not because the problem is gone, but because we trust the Character of the one sending the message.
Reflection Questions:
● Can you think of a time when you felt God's peace before your circumstances actually changed?
● What "song of thanksgiving" can you offer today, even if you are still in the middle of a difficult season?
Suggested Prayer: Blessed be You, Lord, for You have heard my cry! I choose to trust You with all my heart today, knowing that Your help is on the way. Amen.
Thursday
Found in Strength
Psalm 28:8 (ESV) “The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”
The Great Wall of China remains one of the most impressive structures in history, stretching thousands of miles. However, historians often point out that the wall was only as strong as the men defending it. On the occasions it was breached, it wasn't because the wall fell, but because the gatekeepers were bribed or abandoned their posts. A fortress provides the structure, but the inhabitants must have the internal strength to stand their ground.
David realizes that God is both the fortress and the source of strength for the people inside. In verse 8, he pivots from his personal experience to the corporate experience of "his people." He recognizes that the "anointed" and the nation are sustained by the same source.
During these 21 days of Refocus at Second, we are reminded that we don't have to manufacture our own power. God is a "saving refuge," a place of protection, but He also provides the strength to endure the battle. We find our salvation not just in an escape from trouble, but in the divine power that allows us to stand firm within the refuge He provides.
Reflection Questions:
● In what area of your life do you feel like your "walls" are being tested right now?
● How does knowing God is a "saving refuge" change your perspective on your current fears?
Suggested Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my saving refuge. When I am weak, fill me with Your strength so that I can stand firm in the place You have called me. Amen.
Psalm 28:8 (ESV) “The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”
The Great Wall of China remains one of the most impressive structures in history, stretching thousands of miles. However, historians often point out that the wall was only as strong as the men defending it. On the occasions it was breached, it wasn't because the wall fell, but because the gatekeepers were bribed or abandoned their posts. A fortress provides the structure, but the inhabitants must have the internal strength to stand their ground.
David realizes that God is both the fortress and the source of strength for the people inside. In verse 8, he pivots from his personal experience to the corporate experience of "his people." He recognizes that the "anointed" and the nation are sustained by the same source.
During these 21 days of Refocus at Second, we are reminded that we don't have to manufacture our own power. God is a "saving refuge," a place of protection, but He also provides the strength to endure the battle. We find our salvation not just in an escape from trouble, but in the divine power that allows us to stand firm within the refuge He provides.
Reflection Questions:
● In what area of your life do you feel like your "walls" are being tested right now?
● How does knowing God is a "saving refuge" change your perspective on your current fears?
Suggested Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my saving refuge. When I am weak, fill me with Your strength so that I can stand firm in the place You have called me. Amen.
Friday
The Shepherd’s Salvation
Psalm 28:9 (ESV) “Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd was searching for a lost goat near the Dead Sea when he tossed a rock into a cave and heard the sound of breaking pottery. This led to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible. The shepherd wasn't looking for a historical treasure; he was simply doing the daily, often grueling work of caring for sheep that had wandered off. His primary concern was the safety and return of the one that was lost.
David ends his psalm with one of the most tender images in Scripture: God as a Shepherd. After the cries for help, the talk of wicked enemies, and the declarations of strength, he lands on the image of being "carried." This is the ultimate goal of prayer and fasting: to be so refocused on God that we realize we are His "heritage" and "special possession." He doesn't just save us from a distance; He guides us and carries us.
As we conclude this week of devotion, we rest in the promise that God is not just a distant Rock or a cold Fortress, but a loving Shepherd who carries us in His arms forever.
Reflection Questions:
● What does it mean to you to be God's "heritage"?
● In what area of your life do you need to stop "running" and allow the Shepherd to "carry" you?
Suggested Prayer: Oh, save us, Lord! Bless us as Your heritage. Be our Shepherd today and carry us in Your arms forevermore. Amen.
Psalm 28:9 (ESV) “Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd was searching for a lost goat near the Dead Sea when he tossed a rock into a cave and heard the sound of breaking pottery. This led to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible. The shepherd wasn't looking for a historical treasure; he was simply doing the daily, often grueling work of caring for sheep that had wandered off. His primary concern was the safety and return of the one that was lost.
David ends his psalm with one of the most tender images in Scripture: God as a Shepherd. After the cries for help, the talk of wicked enemies, and the declarations of strength, he lands on the image of being "carried." This is the ultimate goal of prayer and fasting: to be so refocused on God that we realize we are His "heritage" and "special possession." He doesn't just save us from a distance; He guides us and carries us.
As we conclude this week of devotion, we rest in the promise that God is not just a distant Rock or a cold Fortress, but a loving Shepherd who carries us in His arms forever.
Reflection Questions:
● What does it mean to you to be God's "heritage"?
● In what area of your life do you need to stop "running" and allow the Shepherd to "carry" you?
Suggested Prayer: Oh, save us, Lord! Bless us as Your heritage. Be our Shepherd today and carry us in Your arms forevermore. Amen.
Posted in Refocus: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
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