Community Devotions

In the Lord I Take Refuge

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 11:1,4,5,7

1 In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain." 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. 5 The LORD examines the righteous…7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice, the upright will see his face.

OBSERVATION

What do you do when fight is no longer an option and flight is the only choice left? What happens when the wicked are ready to attack? Where do you go? To whom do you turn? David a man after God’s heart resolves to take refuge in God. God is his hiding place even when he is advised to run like the wind for the mountains to escape. Why? Because the Lord examines everyone on earth. Not only do his eyes see everything but he examines the heart of the righteous. He examines the righteous because he himself is righteous. He is looking for men and women after his own heart who take refuge in him so that he can give them strong support. 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."

APPLICATION 

Where do I take my refuge when I am overwhelmed or feel surrounded by accusation? In the LORD I take my refuge. Instead of running to isolation I am going to turn to him because he is righteous and he examines my heart. When my heart is blameless towards him and I am pure in motives and clean in conscience, he gives me strong support. Point of application:

- Examine my motives because God surely will! Make sure that everything is done in love for God and for people.

- As a pastor watch out for favoritism: Don’t favor the cool, powerful or the rich but lead out of a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5).

- Turn to the LORD for my refuge! When I feel overwhelmed or surrounded, I naturally gravitate towards the refuge of isolation or shutting down to everyone but I need to take refuge in the Lord in solitude.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,Thank you for being my refuge. Please forgive me for taking solace in other things and other people. In you I take my refuge. Continue to examine my heart. Reveal blindspots so that I can love with a sincere faith & pure heart. I stand firm in the gospel. Help me to always turn to the cross and remember that you died for my sins. I remember your resurrection and know that you have accomplished a new life of victory over sin. I want to love you and serve you with all my might. Be the Good Shepherd over my wife, family and ministry. I love you. Our Lord, come!

Good Opposition

Exodus 5:22-23

22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” 

OBSERVATION

God’s plan is never meant to be as easy as a piece of cake.  I believe that God never promised that.  He did promise that He will never leave me and watch over me.  My responsibility is to trust in God who will work out all things for the good.  There are always someone who will oppose what God wills me to do.  I cannot say, “I need to quit and not continue because the difficulty of my situation means that it’s not God’s will”.  On the contrary, adversity is part of the God’s plan for me – to grow me, to humble me, to lean on Him and be courageous.

APPLICATION 

Expect adversity because it is a part of God’s great plan to bless me.

PRAYER 

Thank you Father God for all the forces around me.  You mean it to grow my faith in you and continue to learn to trust you even more tenaciously.  I lift up Michael, Joshua and Daniel for your blessings and protection.  May their hearts be drawn to your voice, Jesus.  I love you, Father.  In Jesus name.  Amen.