David Confessing God as His Refuge
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us…You are my hiding place…You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 62:8 and 32:7)
David often confessed God as his refuge. This is another indicator that he typically lived by the grace of God (that is, by trusting God to work on his behalf).
The need or desire to find a refuge (a place of shelter or protection) is common among mankind. The storms of life can beat down relentlessly. Circumstantially, it can be as though Ezekiel's prophetic warning is being fulfilled toward us. "There will be flooding rain… great hailstones…and a stormy wind" (Ezekiel 13:11). We long for a shelter. At other times, threats and dangers seem to lurk around every corner. Experientially, it can be as though we are reliving the trials of David. "The pangs of death encompassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me" (Psalm 18:4-5). We long for a place of protection. David knew where to turn for refuge when troubles multiplied. "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Our place of shelter and protection is not a place, but a Person. When troubles come, we can turn to Him. He is totally available to help us ("a very present help"). Whenever we exercise our trust in Him, whenever we pour our heart out to Him in prayer, we can enjoy the Lord as our refuge. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
At other times, we are not looking so much for a refuge (a place of shelter or protection), we are seeking a hiding place (a secret solitude). When this occurs, we easily identify with David's desire to flee. "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness" (Psalm 55:6-7). Well, God has more good news for us. As David learned, the Lord is willing and able to be that hiding place. "You are my hiding place …You shall surround me with songs of deliverance." Whenever we turn to the Lord and allow Him to encompass us with songs of His delivering power, we can enjoy the Lord as our hiding place. Of course, one practical way to be surrounded by God's "songs of deliverance" is to spend time prayerfully reading in the book of Psalms. They are God's divinely inspired rescue songs.
Dear God, my refuge, I so often long to be sheltered and protected. I praise You that I can find that by running to You in prayer! Dear Lord, my hiding place, I frequently yearn to flee for a secret solitude. I rejoice that I can find that by allowing You to surround me by Your message of deliverance found in Your word!
Friday, September 3, 2010
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (Psalms 147:11)
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (Psalms 147:11)
A Prayer: Oh Lord, may there be in our hearts, at the same time, both a reverence of Your majesty and a resting in Your goodness, both a believing dread of Your wrath and a believing expectation of Your favour; not that we must hang in suspense between hope and fear, but we must act under the gracious influences of hope and fear. May our fear save our hope from swelling into presumption, and our hope save our fear from sinking into despair. May we hope in Your mercy, even when we cannot find a particular promise to stay ourselves upon!
—Matthew Henry
A Prayer: Oh Lord, may there be in our hearts, at the same time, both a reverence of Your majesty and a resting in Your goodness, both a believing dread of Your wrath and a believing expectation of Your favour; not that we must hang in suspense between hope and fear, but we must act under the gracious influences of hope and fear. May our fear save our hope from swelling into presumption, and our hope save our fear from sinking into despair. May we hope in Your mercy, even when we cannot find a particular promise to stay ourselves upon!
—Matthew Henry
Thursday, September 2, 2010
FURTHERING THE FAITH
FURTHERING THE FAITH
Titus 1:1-9
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Titus+1:1-9
Dear Father, the God who never lies,
Grant that my life will further the faith of your chosen people
and increase their knowledge of the truth that accords with
godliness, in hope of eternal life which you promised ages ago and
at the proper time manifested through the preaching of your word.
May the leaders of your people be blameless, good stewards of the
responsibility which you give them. May they hold firmly to your
sure word as taught by your apostles. May they love and demonstrate
everything that is good, and by word and deed refute the advocates
of evil.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
Titus 1:1-9
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Titus+1:1-9
Dear Father, the God who never lies,
Grant that my life will further the faith of your chosen people
and increase their knowledge of the truth that accords with
godliness, in hope of eternal life which you promised ages ago and
at the proper time manifested through the preaching of your word.
May the leaders of your people be blameless, good stewards of the
responsibility which you give them. May they hold firmly to your
sure word as taught by your apostles. May they love and demonstrate
everything that is good, and by word and deed refute the advocates
of evil.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
The Books of Poetry
The Books of Poetry
Proverbs 25 Friday: Amos 5-9
Saturday: John 19-21
Sunday: Philemon
1
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 25 Friday: Amos 5-9
Saturday: John 19-21
Sunday: Philemon
1
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Joshua Leading the People in God's Victory
Joshua Leading the People in God's Victory
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my LORD say to His servant?" (Joshua 5:13-14)
When Moses pointed Israel to the Lord for battle, he was teaching God's people to live by grace (which involves God at work on behalf of His people). "The LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" (Deuteronomy 20:4). Joshua demonstrated this same truth, when he led the people in God's victory.
Before the first battle at Jericho, God gave Joshua the opportunity to commit to the Lord as the Commander of the army of Israel. "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, 'Are You for us or for our adversaries'?" The Lord appeared in the form of an armed soldier. Joshua asked if the man was for Israel or against them. The Lord responded that it was not a matter of being for or against Israel, but that He was in charge of Israel. "'No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped." At this point Joshua fully yielded to the Lord as the leader of God's army. "What does my LORD say to His servant?" Any victories would have to be provided by this divine Commander.
At Jericho, this divine Commander would cause the walls to fall down, as His people would humbly trust Him, obediently marching around the city. "And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:20). At Ai, the Commander gave Joshua a two-pronged ambush strategy. "We will flee before them. Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand" (Joshua 8:6-7). Against the Amorite kings, large hailstones and an extended day were used by the Commander to bring a mighty victory. "The LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven…So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day" (Joshua 10:11, 13). Whether by perplexing marching orders, by understandable strategy, by "natural phenomenon," or by miraculously extended time, the Commander brought victory.
Mighty God of Israel, I look to You to be the One Who is in charge of my battles, the One Who fights for me. Lord, bring forth victory by any means You desire—whether perplexing, understandable, "natural," or miraculous, Amen.
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my LORD say to His servant?" (Joshua 5:13-14)
When Moses pointed Israel to the Lord for battle, he was teaching God's people to live by grace (which involves God at work on behalf of His people). "The LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" (Deuteronomy 20:4). Joshua demonstrated this same truth, when he led the people in God's victory.
Before the first battle at Jericho, God gave Joshua the opportunity to commit to the Lord as the Commander of the army of Israel. "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, 'Are You for us or for our adversaries'?" The Lord appeared in the form of an armed soldier. Joshua asked if the man was for Israel or against them. The Lord responded that it was not a matter of being for or against Israel, but that He was in charge of Israel. "'No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped." At this point Joshua fully yielded to the Lord as the leader of God's army. "What does my LORD say to His servant?" Any victories would have to be provided by this divine Commander.
At Jericho, this divine Commander would cause the walls to fall down, as His people would humbly trust Him, obediently marching around the city. "And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:20). At Ai, the Commander gave Joshua a two-pronged ambush strategy. "We will flee before them. Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand" (Joshua 8:6-7). Against the Amorite kings, large hailstones and an extended day were used by the Commander to bring a mighty victory. "The LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven…So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day" (Joshua 10:11, 13). Whether by perplexing marching orders, by understandable strategy, by "natural phenomenon," or by miraculously extended time, the Commander brought victory.
Mighty God of Israel, I look to You to be the One Who is in charge of my battles, the One Who fights for me. Lord, bring forth victory by any means You desire—whether perplexing, understandable, "natural," or miraculous, Amen.
AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM
AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM
2 Timothy 4:9-22
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Timothy+4:9-22
Dear Father,
Help me not to be in love with this present world. Enable me to
live for the sake of your everlasting kingdom.
Help me come to the defense of those who are attacked wrongly or
who need defending for your sake.
Stand by us, dear God, and give us the strength to live for you
and to proclaim your word fully, as it deserves.
Rescue us from the lion's mouth. Rescue us from every evil and
save us for your heavenly kingdom.
Be with our spirits. Grant abundant grace to us in every way.
To you be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:9-22
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Timothy+4:9-22
Dear Father,
Help me not to be in love with this present world. Enable me to
live for the sake of your everlasting kingdom.
Help me come to the defense of those who are attacked wrongly or
who need defending for your sake.
Stand by us, dear God, and give us the strength to live for you
and to proclaim your word fully, as it deserves.
Rescue us from the lion's mouth. Rescue us from every evil and
save us for your heavenly kingdom.
Be with our spirits. Grant abundant grace to us in every way.
To you be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Please take this seriously
Listen-up:
Pass this on to everybody you know. Anybody that sees a plastic bottle in their yard would think nothing of picking it up to throw it away.
Looks like these things are starting to pop up around the U.S. Check the Snopes web site below, it's pretty scary.
Important warning! NOT A JOKE! Pay attention to this.
1. A plastic bottle with a cap (Like a normal water bottle).
2. A little Drano.
3. A little water.
4. A small piece of foil.
5. Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM (Less than 30 seconds)!!
6. No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.
People are finding these bombs in mailboxes and in their yards, just waiting for someone to pick it up intending to put it in the trash.
It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing.
See "SNOPES" below....it's true.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp
Pass this on to everybody you know. Anybody that sees a plastic bottle in their yard would think nothing of picking it up to throw it away.
Looks like these things are starting to pop up around the U.S. Check the Snopes web site below, it's pretty scary.
Important warning! NOT A JOKE! Pay attention to this.
1. A plastic bottle with a cap (Like a normal water bottle).
2. A little Drano.
3. A little water.
4. A small piece of foil.
5. Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM (Less than 30 seconds)!!
6. No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.
People are finding these bombs in mailboxes and in their yards, just waiting for someone to pick it up intending to put it in the trash.
It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing.
See "SNOPES" below....it's true.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp
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