Lutheran Church of Australia

where love comes to life

A king on a holy hill

1 March 2025

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by Carolyn Ehrlich

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As for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill … Blessed are all who take refuge in him (Psalm 3:6,12b).

Read Psalm 2

This psalm seems to nicely round out what I have learned in our readings for this week. I have found the readings hard words from our Lord and Saviour. We have been asked to be merciful and compassionate in our own communities. We have seen that physical death is a possible outcome for some who are Jesus’ disciples. We have heard Jesus say that he did not come to bring peace on earth. We have been instructed to be wise and gentle.

It seems that we are in the midst of a war – and we are. A war for our souls and the souls of all people on earth. It seems like walking with Jesus is a minefield in this world that is full of evil, where nations rage against God, people plot in vain to do whatever they want to do, and rulers consult one another rather than walking with God (well, that is what appears to be happening).

In this psalm, we are assured that God rules. He laughs at the vain plots of humanity and holds the people who plot in derision (verse 4). And this is a huge comfort to each of us living this battle for the souls of people. Blessed are those who take refuge in him. God has set Jesus on his holy hill (verse 6). Take refuge in him.

  • ‘Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge’ (Psalm 16:1).
  • ‘You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance’ (Psalm 32:7).
  • ‘O, taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him’ (Psalm 34:8).
  • ‘How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings’ (Psalm 36:7).
  • ‘Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us’ (Psalm 62:8).
  • ‘But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works’ (Psalm 73:28).
  • ‘You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust”’ (Psalm 91:1,2).

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus as King. Thank you that in Jesus, I can take refuge. I turn to you for strength and courage to walk in your ways today and always. You are my refuge and strength. Please be with me and keep me from all evil today, for into your hands I commend myself, my body, my soul and all things. Amen.

Carolyn Ehrlich lives in retirement with her husband Wayne in Ipswich, Queensland. Prior to retirement, Carolyn worked as a researcher in the fields of disability and rehabilitation. Today, Carolyn is kept busy with hobbies and supporting her family and the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in various ways.

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