SCRIPTURE:
Joel 3:16 The Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the Lord is a refuge to His people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

DEVOTIONAL:
I think this verse is a good reminder to look to the Lord and allow Him to be a refuge when the world feels crazy or scary. He is our strength and He longs to be our shelter. When we run to the news or social media, or even to other voices, we increase our own anxiety and fear, but when we run to God and look to Him, He becomes our shield and shifts our perspective. This verse also mentions the Lord being a stronghold to His people. This is a term we might relate with the military, and for good reason. The Oxford Dictionary tells us a stronghold is “a place that has been fortified so as to protect against attack.” God doesn’t need any sort of extra fortification, because on His own, He is strong enough to protect us against any attack. Remember this when the world seems to be spinning out of control. As we are fasting, we can also focus our minds on God, rehearse His promises, and read God’s word. These are all ways to find our refuge in God, and to remind our souls where our protection truly comes from.

PRAYER:
God, help me remember You. It seems silly that I have to pray that because You are so great and magnificent, but sometimes my eyes shift from You to the things of the world. It can be tempting to let my eyes linger on things that are scary. Help me remember to trust in You to be my stronghold. Be my place of refuge. When my hope is under attack, God, help me run to You to find it.

READING PLAN:

• 1 Corinthians 5
• 1 Corinthians 6
• 1 Corinthians 7
• 1 Corinthians 8
• 1 Corinthians 9
• 1 Corinthians 10
• 1 Corinthians 11
• 1 Corinthians 12
• 1 Corinthians 13
• 1 Corinthians 14
• 1 Corinthians 15
• 1 Corinthians 16
• 2 Corinthians 1