Tag: refuge
Let the River flow!
Scripture reading for October 24th: John 7, Psalm 62, Proverbs 26
John 7:37-39 “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” Now this He said about the Spirit, Whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
It was the Feast of Pentecost and Jesus attended. It was the custom, on the last day, to pour out big jars of water from the spring of Siloam to commemorate the giving of the Law and God supplying the water from the Rock for the children of Israel. As they poured out the water, Jesus stood up and proclaimed to the crowd assembled, (and to us) that anyone who was thirsty could come to Him and drink. This would result in a release of a ‘river of living water’ from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was to be given after Jesus was crucified and glorified. This ‘living water’ would flow from hearts that were filled with God’s Spirit. It would result in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of worship and prophesy flowing. The world treasures gossip and slander, but those believing in Jesus have a flow of prophetic worship and praise!
Psalm 62:7-8 “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty Rock, my Refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit that You give freely to all who believe on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Forgive me for allowing the world’s whispering to go into my inner being. Fill me afresh today with the Holy Spirit as I draw near to You through Jesus Christ. He is my Mighty Rock in the wilderness of this world, a Refuge I can pour out my heart to in Spirit-filled prayer! Amen!
Proverbs 26:22 “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”
Work that profits for eternity
Scripture reading for October 23rd: John 6, Psalm 61, Proverbs 25
John 6: 25-29 “When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.” Then they said to Him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him Whom He has sent.””
Jesus had just fed the multitude of five thousand and the crowd was talking of making Him king by force. Jesus withdrew to the mountain to pray. He later walked on water to meet His disciples on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. When the people realized that Jesus had left, they went in search of Him. Jesus knew what was in their hearts. Jesus told them that they were seeking Him for the food He had provided. The food that perishes was not to be the focus of their efforts, but Jesus encouraged them to seek the food that endures to eternal life. He was the true ‘Bread of Life’, coming from heaven to reveal the Father. He encouraged them that the work that God required of them was faith–believing in Him, the Son of God. God’s glory was being revealed to all who would receive by faith.
Psalm 61:1-2 “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for You have been my Refuge, a strong Tower against the enemy.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for doing the ‘work’ of salvation for us through Your Son. You have heard our cry for help and lead us to the Rock, Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I have sought You for earthly needs alone, not recognizing my true hunger for eternal things. Use me in my every-day life and relationships to live by faith and share Your eternal Truth of Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”
The King wears a crown of thorns!
Scripture reading for November 17th: Daniel 7-9, Psalm 91, John 19
John 19:1-6 “Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and arrayed Him in a purple robe. They came up to Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”
Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent and was afraid to do anything to Him. Pilate’s great sin was that he allowed the people’s voices to determine Jesus’ fate and not justice. In order to put Jesus out of his jurisdiction, Pilate had Him flogged and then presented back before the people. The soldiers had made a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head in mockery that He was “King of the Jews”. That crown of thorns used to torment and mock King Jesus was in reality the curse of sin and death being placed on Jesus by the very sinners He came to save! The race of Adam had fallen under the curse as Adam disobeyed God in the Garden. Now Jesus Christ, the second Adam, would bear the curse Himself to redeem all who would humbly listen to Him and repent!
Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came One like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is and everlasting dominion, which shall never pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Prayer: Father God, Jesus Christ is my Refuge, my Fortress and my God and Lord Whom I trust. I am so thankful that He willingly bore the crown of thorns, taking the curse of sin and death for me and all who will listen to Him. Thank You for Your patience with lost mankind and Your desire that all peoples and nations would know You and serve You for eternity. Use me today to share this Good News!
Psalm 91:1-3 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.” For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”
From mourning to joy!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Isaiah 14-16, Matthew 28
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:5-9 “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.”
According to Scripture, at least three women went early in the morning to properly care for Christ’s body. These women were surprised to find the stone rolled away and even more frightened to see an angel and hear him speak to them. The angel told them not to be afraid and gently invited them to see where Christ had been laid and then sent them off to tell the disciples the Good News and that they would see Him in Galilee! As they were running away to tell the news, Jesus appeared to them with a cheerful greeting. This brought them to worship and adoration in overwhelming joy!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I worship You and rejoice in Your resurrection and victory over death and the grave! I will follow You and share with the afflicted that You are their refuge and salvation!
Isaiah 14:32 “What will one answer the messengers of the nation? “The Lord has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of His people find refuge.””
God our Rock of rest!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Psalms 61-65
Key Scriptures: Psalm 62:5-8 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Selah
David encouraged himself in the Lord. He had healthy self-talk and healthy God-centered worship! We find him confessing rest in God alone in this psalm (vs 1) and then commanding his soul to find rest in God alone! (vs 5) He declared that God was his only hope of salvation and honor and his refuge! He encouraged all peoples to make God their refuge and cast their cares on Him!
Jesus calls us to rest in Him: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)