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Bible Study: Our Refuge
Date: Jul 6th, 2008 8:55:15 pm - Subscribe


Our Refuge 07.06.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday July 6, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalms. Please read Chapters 60-66 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2060-66&version=9

Today we will read and learn about David's prayer for deliverance from his enemies; his confidence in God's promises; and David's exhortation to praise God for His goodness. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that no matter what circumstances we face or how long they seem God is our refuge and preparing us for great things.

The country to the east of Jordan into which David had been forced to retreat from Absalom was not part of the Lord's promised land. In what seemed like a foreign country, the psalmist felt exiled from God's people and banished from God's presence. "O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah." The word Selah means to stop and think about what has been said. (Psalm 60:1-4). He was far from the city that he loved most, from his home, from his throne, and from the Tabernacle of his God, but even more serious and fearful.

While David was exiled from his loved ones and the physical comforts of royal status, he pleaded to God, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." (61:1-4). Although his desolate situation seemed like the end of the earth, David was confident that his True Source of security from his enemies was the living God Himself, who was like a great tower of protection.

Making God our strong tower means recognizing that His followers are in the protective care of the invincible God. Depression and frustration need not exist in the life of one who believes that God is the only strong tower from the enemy in the face of evil forces. Like David, we can depend upon the Lord for protection and provision, regardless of how hopeless our circumstances may seem or how long they seem to last.

Although David's difficult circumstances remained the same for many years, he continued to declare, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." (62:5-7). He then turned his thoughts to others who faced trials and suffering and continued by encouraging all of us to trust in Him at all times."Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." (62:. It is a comfort to know that through everything we face in life God is our refuge and preparing us for greater things to come.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the Rock - the unmovable, eternal, unchanging Savior (Psalms 61:2; 62:2,6-7). Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:4).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As we live by faith and not by sight we see much of what the world does not see because we see it through eyes of faith. By faith we see a risen Savior who died for us and who is now interceding on our behalf. By faith we see the day when all the saints will be gathered in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. By faith we believe that life’s trials will be worth it all when we are ushered into the pearly gates and gather with saints of all the ages to praise our glorious Savior around the throne. It is by faith that we come to Jesus and it is by faith that we will stay the course. For it is not the one who runs the swiftest nor the one who runs for a day, but the one who endures to the end that will be saved. The struggles of this life diminish when we walk by faith and not by sight. Navigate our steps as we journey here below. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day.
God Bless,
Christina

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