Monday, April 20, 2020

YOU ARE MY REFUGE…

The Webster dictionary defines “refuge” as a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. In 1 Samuel 22:1 we find David hunkered down in a cave in Adullam. Why? So, he could take “refuge” from Saul and his army that were in pursuit of him. Psalm 142, written at this time by David, is an incredible prayer. As you read this Psalm consider, David is experiencing emotions similar to what you or I would be. He probably has made his way as far back against the back-cave wall as possible, his heart is probably racing and before he gives room to total fear, he runs to his ultimate “refuge”, the LORD. Picture this intimate conversation (prayer) in your mind as he is hiding, fearful, and feeling somewhat hopeless.

Psalms 142:1-7 (NKJV)
 I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk, they have secretly set a snare for me.

Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me."

Instead of marinating in fear David runs to the LORD. He says… I cry out to you with my voice. It’s me LORD! My voice! Here is what is going on, I’m in some big trouble here!

It is an understatement to say there is a lot going on in our world today. But, can I encourage you, if you are at the back of the cave, you have lost your job, finances are tight, you have loved ones that contacted Covid-19, or lost loved ones to Covid-19, or have lost loved ones and not been able to attend their funeral, have a house of kids and you are not a home school parent,  and you are going stir crazy being isolated from family and friends, etc., etc.
Please remember this, the cave isn’t your ultimate refuge, God is. Cry out to him, tell him your troubles, believe He cares and hears you.

Finding my refuge in Him,
Vickie

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Things I KNOW…

As we watch, listen, and each acclimate to our particular part of the world being attacked by the corona virus, I challenge us to not be consumed with fear of the unknown but to stand strong on the things we do KNOW as believers.

There are 3 major truths I know in my life that all else is anchored to.



The first is, God is Sovereign over all.

Genesis 1:1-3 (ESV) 
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Psalm 33:9 (ESV)
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.

I don’t understand about the corona virus, I am saddened by the lives lost from around the world near and far, by those that have lost jobs, for weddings put on hold or cut back, for school graduations being cancelled, etc. But it doesn’t move me away from the truth that God is in control. He has either allowed this or brought it into our lives. In any case, HE alone is God. And that is where my peace and confidence are anchored.

The second is, I am a Child of God.

John 1:12 (ESV) 
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

What a joy to be able to rest in our identity in Christ! You can’t add to it or subtract from it with your performance and it can’t be taken away from you, it’s called Grace! It’s not about what you do but it is about what HE has done. Talk about your greatest form of identity theft protection. (ha,ha,ha)

Thirdly, all my days are ordained.

Psalm 139:16 (ESV) 
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

Job 12:10 (ESV) 
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. 

It is clear to me through God's Word that my check in and check out dates were set before the beginning of time. I cannot change that. However, I do get to decide how I live within the time frame. I pray, I am living it with these verses in mind…

Mark 12:29-31 (ESV) 
The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.   And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

May I challenge each of you to look at the truths of God’s Word, that anchor you to Him in the storms!

His,
Vickie