refuge

Good morning! Continuing with our topic from Psalm 17, God as our ultimate protector and source of peace. How can we know that what we are asking for is right? How do I know that He will listen? David answers these questions all through Psalm 17. Yesterday, I gave you 5 things David says to do to find refuge in God. Each from the first five verses. The next 4 are from varying verses from the chapter.

6. Experience God’s Unfailing Love

David is looking and seeking God’s love and protection: “Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand”-Psalm 17:7. This is a reminder of how much God loves us. A love that is steadfast and unwavering. Experiencing His love transforms our lives and empowers us to love others. Not only that but you feel safe when you are loved. When the God of the universe loves you, you know you can rest.

7. Find Security in God’s Protection

David finds security in God’s protection, describing it as being hidden “in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 17:8). This picture reassures us of God’s protection and care, offering us a safe and secure haven when life’s storms hit us. We can rest in the knowledge that God is our shield and defender. You have found refuge.

8. Recognize the Futility of Worldly Pursuits

The psalm compares and contrasts the nature of worldly pursuits with the eternal satisfaction found in God: “They are satisfied with children and leave their abundance to their infants” (Psalm 17:14). This lesson encourages us to focus on eternal treasures rather than temporary gains, finding true fulfillment in our relationship with God. Paul does the same thing that David is doing here in Ephesians 1:3 when he says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. This verse also contrasts temporary earthly prosperity to spiritual blessings.

9. Anticipating the Joy of God’s Presence and our Resurrection

David concludes with a hopeful anticipation of being resurrected at Christ’s return: “When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). When he says “when I awake” he is expecting to die and be raised to new life. That is his hope. This final lesson inspires us to look forward to the ultimate joy of being with God, and his son Jesus where we will experience complete satisfaction and joy in His presence for eternity.

Reflection Questions

Is God your refuge? How much peace do you have?

Are you doing these things?

What are some ways you can apply these principles today?

Prayer

Father God my prayer this morning is that we know how to take refuge in you. That we apply these principles to our lives and live with the joy, acceptance and peace that you give us each day. May we be active in seeking out your will. In Jesus’ name.

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Safe Cities

Joshua 19-21

After studying the Underground Railroad, my family and I toured a local church that played a major role in helping escaped slaves reach freedom. Though the dismal, subterranean tunnel boasted no modern amenities, its hidden passage beneath the church’s sanctuary had served as a refuge for countless escapees on their way to freedom. How I wished the walls could talk! There are no written records of the tunnel’s guests from that time period, probably to protect the identities of the escaped slaves (and besides, most local records were destroyed in the 1913 flood that ravaged this region), but shards of pottery and discarded animal bones from choice cuts of meat provide evidence of the meals that were smuggled in to nourish the “fugitives.” I was speechless while envisioning the grueling journey a desperate, sweet soul must have endured to arrive this far north – more than 60 miles beyond the Ohio River – weighed down by the well-preserved foot chains that had been found in that very tunnel.

The escaped slaves were hungry for safety. “Safety” is a concept that we often take for granted in this twenty-first century, first-world country; in many countries, simply proclaiming Christianity could cost one’s life. I find it interesting that God designated several cities of safety for his people in the Promised Land. These were cities to which anyone could escape who had accidentally killed someone, in which they would safely await trial without threat of the victim’s family avenging the (potentially innocent) murderer.

Though we no longer have similar cities of refuge, this concept is a foreshadowing of sorts to Jesus: in him, we sinners find refuge from our enemy. “We run to Christ to escape the danger we are in from the curse and condemnation of the law, from the wrath of God, and from an eternity in hell. Only Christ provides refuge from these things, and it is to Him alone that we must run. Just as the cities were open to all who fled to them for safety, it is Christ who provides safety to all who come to Him for refuge from sin and its punishment.” (quote source).

“He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” (Hebrews 6:18, NLT)

I am so grateful for the hope that lies before us! Aren’t you?!

-Rachel Cain

Reflection:

Look up synonyms for the word “refuge.” Which one stands out most to you in your journey of faith?

“He kept every promise he had made to the Israelites; each one came true.” (Joshua 21:45) What a powerful verse! God is always faithful. Reflect on his faithfulness in your life by writing a memoir or journal about how he has moved in your life, and share it with those close to you.

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Places of Refuge

Numbers 34-36

Want to see a map of the borders of the Promised Land?! My husband, Bill Schlegel, wrote the Satellite Bible Atlas (available on Amazon). It’s filled with real photographed maps that he’s added the sites and commentary to. (Sounds like the way I’m doing these devotionals, but he’s much more articulate;). You can go further in depth to your Bible readings with this atlas to help, especially in the upcoming books of the judges and kings. 🙂 He wrote it for the students to use on field trips and classes in Israel.

In the midst of defining the border, God appointed cities for refuge for within. “These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.” (35:15) Those must’ve been interesting cities with innocent and guilty persons awaiting judgment. Some probably took advantage of them and for others they found refuge they needed .

Nowadays our homes can be a place of refuge. As a mother of five I can testify to that, receiving family members after long days of work, sporting events, school, and other hard tasks. It’s comforting to find refuge in one’s home and provide that for others too looking for peace.

A hammer can build things up and it can tear things down. “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Proverbs 14:1 It’s important we use our tools to build and help others rather than tear them down.

Another place we can greatly find refuge is in God. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 Especially after coming to the one God faith this verse means so much more to me. His personal name YHVH/LORD is strong and stable, mentioned some 6,828x in the Old Testament. That’s one out of every four verses making it 25% of the time. It’s powerful just seeing it so many times. Reading the Bible on a regular basis helps one to refocus and gain strength and peace. We can take refuge in God and His Word.

-Stephanie Schlegel

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Where do you find refuge on a daily basis? How has it brought you relief?

2. Is your home a place of refuge for others? Maybe there’s a hurting person you can invite over this weekend to share a meal or coffee with?

3. Is the name of the LORD/YHVH a strong tower for you? What’s a way that could improve that even more?

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Old Testament: Joshua 19 & 20

Poetry: Psalm 51

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9

In today’s reading in Joshua we see the establishment of cities of refuge for those needing a safe place to dwell, whether Israelite or soujorner. The Israelites had been instructed to sanctify these cities, consecrating them and declaring them cities of refuge for the innocent. I am always impressed in the attention to detail and proactive instructions for so many scenarios when I read through the Old Testament law. For example, in this chapter we have very concrete directions for what to do for those who “accidentally kill someone.” It is clear God had a detailed plan, and the instructions He gives us are not flippant or derived from the latest child-rearing or leadership self-help book. They are put in place by a holy, sovereign Father who knows all and wants the best for His children.

The Matthew Henry Commentary points out the Hebrew meaning of the names of these cities of refuge we read about in Joshua 20 and some potential correlation to the place of refuge we as Christians find in Jesus.

Kedesh: holy

Shechem: shoulder (e.g. the government is upon his shoulder)

Hebron: fellowship

Bezer: fortification

Ramoth: high or exalted

Golan: joy or exultation

In the same way God planned for safe dwelling places in the time of Joshua, He planned the same for us in the gift of His son who came to preach the gospel of the coming kingdom and died and was resurrected as a sacrifice for us. Not just for those who “accidentally” did something wrong, but for us who have done wrong knowingly. Time and time again. For those like David who plotted a murder, committed adultery, and whose words we read again today in Psalm 51. David seemed to live much of his life seeking safe dwelling places, but he ultimately claimed his safety in God as his refuge. In fact, if you scan the Bible for uses of God as a refuge, you’ll definitely find yourself in Psalms! Like David, we won’t find safe dwelling places regarding what matters to God in the caves, suburbs, America, or by stockpiling weapons and descending into underground bunkers. We find our safe dwelling place in God through Christ. Hebrews 7:23-25 states this very nicely:

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

With current events exploding with more and more people living in such turmoil from the Middle East to every corner of the globe it seems, safe dwelling places are not things to take for granted. If we are a follower of Christ, we have been reconciled to God finding immediate safety today as well as the most beautiful hope in the coming kingdom and eternal life with Jesus. Only then will true refuge be found.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” – Psalm 46:1-3

-Jennifer Hall

Questions:

Are there things in the world you seek or believe to be sources of refuge outside of God and His sources of refuge?
What encouragement can you find in today’s reading or God’s word regarding His promises to be our source of refuge?
What do you look forward to in God’s coming kingdom where we will have perfect safety and an eternal dwelling place?

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The Sustainer

Psalms 55-60

psalm-55-22-large

January 3, 2017

Have you ever felt like everyone is against you? We have all had people we don’t know judge us by our clothes, hair, where we live and go to school, and even for being Christian. What about when it’s a friend or worse, a family member? That is how David was feeling. He was betrayed by a close friend and he wanted vengeance; not just from him, but from God. David wanted to run and hide, to find a place where he wasn’t being pursued. We have all felt like this at one time or another, so where can we go?

Ps 56:3-5 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words, they are always plotting to harm me.”

Psalm 56 talks about putting our trust in God when man is attacking us. For every time someone is talking you down, God is your refuge. When a friend may be talking behind your back; put your trust in God, and He will keep you safe. He won’t punish the ones speaking against you, He will comfort you.

PS 60:16 “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

No matter what you or I are going through, God is stronger. God is our refuge and will always protect us!

-Susan Johnson

(Photo credit: http://www.psalmsquotes.com/psalm-55-22.htm)

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