Monday 24 August 2020

God Is Our Refuge

Scripture: Psalms 46 v 1 - 7: "To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 
2  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 
3  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 
6  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."


We are living in troubled times where life for many is very uncertain and they have lost everything through war, strikes, burning, sickness, death, accidents, financial upheaval, and multiple other factors.  Especially the pandemic that has touched nearly every life on this planet.

There is a place of refuge for every human being.  We are all equal in the eyes of our God, but there is only one way we can approach Him.  He made the way into His presence through Jesus Christ alone.  Jesus is the door in John 10.  In John 14 v 6 He says:  "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me."

Before we know how to reach the Father, we are captives to Satan's agenda of sin, evil, disease, death and Hell.  We do our own thing, we think, and live in whatever our pleasures may be.  We are independent of God and His will for us until the pressure of the world drives us into His arms.  Doing our own thing is equal to rebellion against God, which is really doing Satan's thing.

Pressure is ever present in the world.  We spend fortunes learning how to cope with it.  Some never learn and become victims of the system, drug addicts, alcoholics, manic depressive, criminals, suicides, divorces, religions, refugees, migrants, all trying to find either oblivion or escape to a better life.

The only truly better life is found in the Kingdom of God,  where the promises are life everlasting in a place filled with peace, love and joy.  God is not looking for church programs or leadership seminars, He is looking for us, calling us as He called Adam in Eden.  Adam had already sinned and lost his way but the Father called out, Adam, where are you?

If you don't know Him yet He is still calling your name and wanting to have fellowship with you.  His ear is open to your cry, but you must come to Him through Jesus His Son.  You must come to Him with  changed mind and attitude.  You must acknowledge your wrongdoings, sins, errors, faults.  You must forgive others their hurts against you.  Then you will have His complete forgiveness.  The Blood of Jesus will be applied to your life and you will be clean.

This is the promise of the New Covenant.  This is where the weary must come to be refreshed.  You must leave all baggage at the foot of the Cross.  Enter into the life of Christ with a pure heart and walk in His light, His knowledge, His love and righteousness.

To keep the Light of Jesus burning brightly you must read your Bible daily and do what the Lord impresses on your heart.  Jesus is the Word made flesh.  He is every word of that Bible.  You will know Him when you take time to seek Him in the Word.  That is when you grow.  

Read the anointed Word of God to increase your anointing.  The word 'anointed' means that it is supernatural and divine, made holy by God, blessed by the oil of the Holy Spirit.  There is no other Book like the Holy Bible, no other God like the Almighty, no other Saviour like His Son, Jesus Christ.

You build your faith on reading the Word and heeding it.  When you need help from God He will bring a promise or answer from things you have already read and done.  Your refuge in God will come right early if the Word has a constant place in your heart.

You will view calamities through His eyes and turn them into victories and testimonies which will help others to come near to God for His strength and help.  Verse 10 of Psalms 46 says, Be still and know that I am God.

Be still.  Don't panic, have confidence and trust. Leave everything to Me.  Know that He is God who is able to do anything to meet the needs of His children.  Do you trust Him above every worldly alternative?  Do you walk in the faith of the early apostles, even in the faith Jesus had on Earth?  

In the days ahead we will all need that kind of Faith.  We will need to be flowing in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and in all the gifts, so that our lamps do not go out.  The pressures of the world system are increasing as they run out of ideas, resources, finances, support.  The crash is coming.  People will be scrambling to find the refuge. If you are already secure in it, you will be able to help them.

Keep reading Psalms 46 for courage and strength, read all the rest of the Bible too for direction when the crash comes.  The pandemic is part of it but its not the full tragedy.  The aftermath in the months and years ahead, especially financially, will be telling.  Pray fervently for the perfect will of the Father. Jesus said the Father alone was truly good.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, every day is a day to know You.  We pray for all those seeking refuge to find their way to You through Jesus.  As the world gets darker and more frightening let His light shine more brightly so the captives can return Home to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.