November 18 – A Strong Defense

“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, like heat in a dry place.” Isaiah 25:4-5a (ESV)

 

This verse gives us four ways that God promised to provide for the needy in Isaiah's day. The prophet Isaiah knew the wonder of God and what He did for His own who were in need. Number one, God is a stronghold (defense) to the poor or those without the means to have a defense.  Number two God is also a stronghold (defense) to those oppressed and in need of help. A stronghold was a place or means of safety and protection. A third is the shelter He provides when the storms of life come upon us. And when the heat is on God provides shade as the fourth way. He is our refuge and we can look to Him when we are threatened and wonder how things will work sort out for us. We trust Him for shelter when life is stormy. Sometimes we face people who have us up against a wall – we can trust and know God is with us to help us.  So, let's allow the words of our verse to remind us today how full sufficient our God is to be there and meet our every need.

 

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August 30 –Tried and Proven

“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5-6 (NASB)

These are the words of Agur the son of Jakeh the oracle. We can only suggest that Agur was an otherwise unknown sage who could have been a student or teacher of wisdom at the time of Solomon. The words are identified as an oracle which was often used of the words of a prophet. The verses or proverbs we’ve selected compare the certainty of divine revelation and the uncertainty of our speculation of what God’s words mean. Stating that every word of God is ‘tested’ is literally ‘tried’ in verse 5.  The same teaching comes to us in Psalm 12:6 “The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Proverbs 30:6 delivers a powerful affirmation on the inspired nature of God’s canonical Word to Israel. To add to or subtract from God’s Word is to deny God as the standard of truth. The same instruction and warning are given in Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32. It is a first and frequent practice of false teachers to modify the words of God. The Bible concludes with the warning again in Revelation 22:18-19 with a more dire warning.

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August 14 – Seems Right and Right – the Difference

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” – Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” – Proverbs 14:26 (ESV)

Two Proverbs with promises. One a promise of death the other a promise of salvation. Discussions with those who do not yet believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior often effect resistance. Many people simply cannot see that the way they are is not the right way. It seems so reasonable and so much makes sense in their minds. At the same time, the message of the Gospel seems unreasonable and even silly. The truth is this, rejection of God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ leads to the way of death.  Jesus made this clear in Matthew 7:13-14. “For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Our second proverb is a Christian paradox—confidence—issues out of fear. Abraham sacrificed his son in the fear of God: but he was fully confident “that God was able to raise him up from the dead.” By faith, our fear of God gives us victory over the doubts, of the the enemy.

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July 27 – Trusting In Our Refuge

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118: 8-9 (NASB)

We might ask what it means to take refuge in the Lord? We are glad that the psalmist really explains it by what he says in the last part of each verse. There he uses the word trust. If we take the time to listen to what people are concerned with ⸺ we are talking about faith believers, ⸺ we find many who trust in “a way of life.”  They fret and worry about how our society is changing and what once was common piety is being cancelled by a sinful world. God has been left out of the process of reckoning and replaced by wanton heathenism. We turn to take refuge in the Lord by reaffirming our trust in Him. Our teach us that it is better to put our confidence (trust) in the Lord than in any human being. Our presidents, princes, and kings are not good object of this kind of trust. So if we need to depend on the help of any person us let’s be sure that our real trust is first and always on our God. Trusting in God is a sure and safe means to find God’s way that never fails us. 

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October 14 – Pinions and Bucklers

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. ” – Psalm 91:4 (ESV)

The imagery in this verse will be very familiar to anyone who has lived where their chickens have the run of the yard. When a hen’s brood has hatched, her chicks follow her wherever she goes. She leads them to food and they learn how to find it for themselves. If ever the shadow of a hawk passes over the hen she senses the danger and sends out a call to her chicks. They run to her and hide under her spread her wings. Her wing feathers keeping them safe from the sharp eyes of the hawk who can swiftly dive and snatch up the small chicks for a meal. That’s a metaphor the psalmist gives us of God’s faithful protection. God will cover us with his ‘pinions’ and we find refuge under His ‘wings.” Our God is spirit and doesn’t actually have wings or feathers but the psalmist says it this way to help us visualize God’s protection. It’s God’s faithfulness, not ours. God’s faithfulness is like a shield or buckler – a small shield worn on the arm. God, our protector, promises refuge and safe places we need. When we face threats from the devil we need protection.

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June 20 – Guarding You In All Your Ways

“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” - Psalm 91:9-11 (ESV)

Ever heard often about promises of guardian angels? We believe that they are watching over us although we can't see them. Sometimes we sense God’s Spirit and presence and believe this is because of His angels watching over us. As we read this promise today, we are reminded who it is that gets this special protection. Notice that it is those who believe in the LORD, Most High. Our spelling and grammar checkers want to change the “Most High” to “Highest” but that is not really the same thing, is it?  It is in the LORD Most High that we find our dwelling place and profess Him as our refuge. How do we dwell in the Most High? We do so by faith believing the promises God has given to us. So let's remember that we live, or dwell in our LORD when we trust Him at all times – not just once in a while. We learn to trust and obey not only when things are tough but even when they are not so tough. Living in God is a constant that comes through a constant faith. 

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February 27 – In the Midst of Anything

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Psalm 46:1-3 (KJV)

It was just a few days ago that we considered the promises from God’s Word found in the book of Isaiah. The promise was that  even if mountains may depart and the hills be removed, God’s love would never fail to be here for us. Today we consider again a comparison of God’s attributes with mountains being moved, this time into the sea. God promises to be our refuge (shelter) from storms and danger. Such threats are around us all the time and we may not even know every time we are in such peril. Think of those who were on that jet that lost most of an engine. Disasters happen and we are not always protected from them happening but God here promises that He is still our refuge and strength. Strong enough even to bring us into His presence or see us safely home. Floods and earthquakes are uncontrollable and nearly unpredictable as are the crises and circumstances that might knock us off our feet.  But God is and will be with us protecting us from fear and trouble. Let’s hold tightly to these promises today and next time disaster threatens, no matter what kind it is. 

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February 11 – Mercy on Me

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” Psalm 57:1 (NIV)

“Mercy me!” These days it is the name of a band and/or the name of a song sung by a different band. It is an exclamation with the same meaning as the words David wrote in this Psalm. He was calling on God for mercy and for protection. Twice David had an opportunity to dispatch King Saul who was hunting to kill him.  What is interesting about this verse is the fact that when David wrote this song he was recalling when he was hiding in a cave where he had an opportunity to be rid the threat of death by killing Saul and being rid of him permanently. Instead, David hid in the cave and trusted God. David, anointed to be King after Saul, knew his own need for a refuge for his soul, and he found that in God. He could be secure and safe spiritually. He didn’t have to kill Saul. David chose to trust in God who promised to keep Him safe forever. We need and have the same refuge. God has promised us a safe place with Him for our souls, for eternity. So we can say with David, “We have our refuge in our God."

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August 3 – Endless Supply Stored Up

“How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!”  Psalm 31:19 (NASB)

When we read and consider words like “stored up” we think of some large storehouses or warehouses we have seen. Whether they are in a port on water by the sea or bay or perhaps deep in the city or town.  We think of rows and rows of shelves piled high from floor to ceiling with things waiting there to be shipped or freighted out when needed. And we are encouraged to think of God's love and His goodness as being so great enough to more than fill up these storehouses.  Yes, God is good and He is ready to demonstrate His goodness in so many different ways. His supply is perfect, just what we will need, and it has been promised to us as we need it and as we call on Him for it.  Let's be sure that we never doubt His goodness. He is waiting for us to open ourselves to benefit from His goodness. He has stored up an endless supply of goodness for us. Receive that goodness  from Him today by finding your refuge in God.

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April 25 – Trusting Our Fortress

“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”  For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence.”  -Psalm 91:2-3  (NASB)

We believe it appropriate to describe what we have been experiencing in this world this past 3-5 months as a “deadly pestilence.” Synonyms include 'epidemic', 'virus', 'pandemic'; words which have been a major part of our news.  Psalm 91 describes God’s ongoing sovereign protection of His people from the ever-present dangers and terrors which surround humanity. That pretty much fits what we all have been facing and many who have faced this pandemic have actually never had such an experience in their lives.  Here today, we who have been adopted into God’s family by belief in Jesus Christ, can take heart in this promise.  God is our fortress.  God delivers us from the trapper’s trap. God delivers us from this deadly pestilence.  The psalmist confirms his trust in God.  We too can confirm our trust in God.  When the circumstances, the news and the predictions have been most frightening, we confess God to be our refuge, our fortress.  This is not a promise that none who believe have been afflicted even to the point of death.  This is a promise that even through sickness and death, those who believe have already been rescued from the consequences of death. 

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March 9 – Our High Forts

“The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,  A stronghold in times of trouble;  And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.."  Psalm 9:9-10  (NASB)

We have the word ‘stronghold’ used twice in our passage.  It is exactly the same word and it is our promise from God that during times of oppression and in times of trouble, our God is a fortified city for us to find help and safety.  The ‘us’ are those of us who have put our trust in God.  We can trust God to care for us because He gives no quarter to the wicked and is our defense and refuge in times of trouble.  We face many forms of oppression; both from man and from Satan. Oppression comes to us; and for all its forms, our Lord God provides Himself as our refuge.  The word for ‘a stronghold’ is also translated correctly as ‘a refuge.’  The strongholds that existed in the time of David, who wrote this song, were “high fort” cities which provided protection.  They were impregnable cities with a high tower so those running to them could see them from far off – cities of refuge.  Let’s put our trust today in our God and know that we can run to Him and that in Him we find promised security from the enemy of our souls.  

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March 3 – Trust Only God

It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in princes.  Psalm 118:8-9 (NASB)

It may be a timely question to ask if we are taking refuge in the Lord for the trials and tribulations we face or if we are instead putting our trust in someone else, even a government leader.  The essence of today’s promise is found in the meaning of these verses.  No person, no leader, no politician, no celebrity, no preacher is worthy of our trust for the matters of our life more than God.  If Moses is the author of this Psalm, as a good many believe, he knew of the danger of trusting in those who govern or lead the people.  The children of Israel wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years more years than necessary because they trusted in the word of those who spied out the land and feared what they saw.  They previously had trusted Aaron to create for them an idol image to worship.  Our promise is this, only the Lord our God is fully worthy of our trust.  He promises to be the refuge we need from the trials and threats in our lives.  The need for a refuge like God is becoming more evident each day.

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September 18 – The Real Safe Place

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.” Psalm 5:11 (NASB)

We are promised that when we trust the Lord, He actively responds. In our verse today we learn that the result is joy and gladness. When we recognize that we are safe, that brings joy. Refuge is a place of safety.  We have a promised refuge in our spiritual lives as Jesus followers.   It is so good to know that our God takes care of those who seek His help. When one of God's children takes refuge in Him, how is that done?  We find refuge in God when we have faith in His word and believe what He has promised.  Today's verse teaches us about two results from taking refuge in Him.  We rejoice with gladness and sing for joy.  God also shelters us and spreads protection over us.  These two expressions are similar, speaking of the from two different perspectives. We are reminded that we can seek refuge in the Lord and we notice that when we do trust God and His promises we have another cause for rejoicing.  Today let us seek refuge in Him.   

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July 17 – Taking Refuge

“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7 (NASB)

These words of promise and comfort are found in a prophecy of warning directed at the people of Judah. Nahum, one of God's prophets spoke and recorded these words about a century after Jonah had preached repentance on the streets of Nineveh.  All though the people of Nineveh repented after hearing the proclamation of God from Jonah, they were back in under God's wrath.  It is a severe prophecy but in it are these words; "the Lord is good."  In Him we find a secure strong place that helps us withstand the trouble we will encounter in our world.  We need this refuge because we do not have a promise of no trouble.  In fact we are promised in scripture that we will encounter trouble and persecution because we proclaim Christ.  We do have this promise that our Almighty God is good and a good place to take refuge.  What's happening in our world and our lives should not cause distress or worry, God knows who we are and where we are.  He cares and will care for us, trust that promise today.

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May 27 – Finding Refuge In Our Faith

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”  2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)

While we have selected a verse from a passage in 2 Samuel, we recognize it as the same song recorded in Psalm 18.  It is a song written by David during the time that King Saul was hunting him to kill him.  It is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for the deliverance and protection God had provided David.  We can accept the words of this song as true and join in thanking God for His help to us in our lives.  Perhaps we are not being pursued by evil men intent of killing us, but many Christians in our time are living in fear of their lives because of their faith.  It is important for all to believe that God's ways are perfect and so are His words and promises.  We can base our actions and reactions, and our very lives on what God has promised.  For those who take refuge in Him are shielded by God.  Nothing will happen to us that God does not allow and our future is secure in Him.  When we take refuge in our God by exercising our faith in His promises, we can trust Him for the outcome. 

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January 12 – Taking Refuge in Who is Good

“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7 (NASB)

We all face difficulties in our lives, do we not?  Not one of us lives without challenges or situations where we need help.  We have help promised to us in today's verse.  Think about this a moment, our verse says “The Lord is good,” and that means we can trust him to help us because He is a place we can find refuge from our troubles and difficulties.  Trying to go it alone is really not the way God has planned for us.  He knows we need Him each day and we need Him in our day of trouble.  Some of us have many such days and we have this promise that He will give us refuge from the troubles.  He knows us even before we do and He is ready and waiting for us to turn to him.  What a promise we can live with in the most difficult times in our lives.  Today, let's take our troubles to him and get the refuge He has promised.  He is good and He is God, perfect in every way.  

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December 2 – Refuge of Strength

“Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. … For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.”  Psalm 61:1,3 (NASB)

Yesterday we looked at the second verse of this Psalm by David.  Today we look at verses one and three.  In this song, David is writing about his need for God to hear his prayer.   In the third verse David claims God's promise as his refuge and his tower of strength.  Towers were important in those days so that a defending army could see the enemy approaching from far off.  Towers provided protection from the enemy.  We need such protection today and we find it in the same place David did – in God.  He is where we find refuge and the strength we need to fight the enemy that attacks us from every side.  We cannot defeat the enemy on our own, using our own strength.  When we try it is like we are standing alone on the battle field surrounded on every side with no protection.  We need to be in God who is the refuge we need, God has promised to watch over us and to never leave us alone.  He does hear our prayers, its a promise.

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Please take a moment to share with friends.

September 24 – Experience Nearness

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28 (ESV)

The people of Israel who lived during the days of the Old Testament record knew that in the tabernacle and then later in the temple in Jerusalem there was an inner room called the Holy of Hollies.  It was in this room where the presence of God was manifested.  Sometimes people would go to the temple thinking that this brought them close to God.  We see this thought in some of the Psalms.  We believe, though, that our verse today is about a spiritual closeness to God.  The psalmist had experienced the joy of knowing that God was near him even without his going to the temple.  This is true for each of us too.  Although it is possible for us to receive a blessing from attending church, we know that we can experience the nearness of God no matter where we are.  Everyday of the week and anytime of the day we can sense the closeness of His presence.  And, we can share that with others.   

What was the Holy of Hollies?

Significance of the Holy of Hollies for Christians.

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August 2 – Perfect Shield

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”  Psalm 18:30 (NIV)

The songs or psalms that we have in our Bible were often written to express what the writers had experienced in trusting God.  Today's verse is like that.  When David wrote this song he had passed through a very trying period of his life. His experience had proved to him that God does everything right.  That is why David used the words perfect and flawless to describe what God had done for him.  We notice that David thought of God as a shield. Let's remember how a shield is used.  It is used between a person and some threatening danger, and that is how our Lord protects us each day.  Let's trust the Lord to be close to us, closer than the things which bother us.  If He is that close He'll be between us and our problems and will truly protect us as He did so for David. That is our promise to remember – that our Lord is our shield, our perfect shield in this world today. 

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June 26 – Stored and Supplied

“How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19 (NASB)

In is not unusual to consider that the part of the Bible we draw many of the promises is the Song Book of the Bible – The Book of Psalms.  Even though there has been much change in the world since the Psalms were written, we can know this for certain, God's promises have not changed and the needs of people's hearts haven't changed either.  In today's verse from Psalm 31 we see two pictures. The idea of a storehouse or the act of storing up good things for those who are in awe and worship God.  We are reminded that God's goodness is ever ready, and His supply never exhausted, and he makes it available in large quantities so that we receive all we are promised. All that we need and more. The second visual is that of a place of supply in the middle of calamity and danger from others.  This is a picture of God actually handing out his goodness – he dispenses (wrought, bestows) what He has stored.  God goodness is not just safely stored away, it is put to use and it was created by God for Him to give to those who come to him for refuge and safety.  It is there for us, promised and stored up.