Take Us To The Rock!

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2 NIV)

At any place, at any time

A Believer calls to God, He hears.

He responds to our call

And calms all of our fears,

Knowing we trust Him, The Rock.

Throughout many scriptures in the Bible, we see the reference to a rock and in Deuteronomy 32:4, the reference states, “He is the Rock.”

What is a rock and what does it do? A rock is a hard surface that withstands the tests of time–the rain, the snow, the sleet, the hail–all that nature throws at it–it survives and thrives, remaining as steadfast as the mountains it forms. We know that certain rocks are more porous than others and they don’t withstand the elements as well as those rocks that are solid as granite.

My husband and I often play “Frisbee Golf” on our WII and I am always amazed at the graphic designer to created a scene with towering rocks that almost look like dinosaurs standing guard. They are high and provide shelter and shade from the bright sunshine designed into the game. And I think of Jesus–the solid rock–the immoveable rock, the strong tower that provides us refuge, whenever we play the game.

When we know who we have and what He will do for us–we can see Him in almost anything we do–and not just in a bible or in a building–but all around us, we see proof of His existence and The Word becomes alive for us. We can call upon Him–from any place at any time and He hears us. We can expect His protection from the enemy at any turn when we call upon Him and we can run to the Rock–His ever-abiding shelter–to protect us from the elements and keep us from harm.

Of course, for anyone to actually know who He is and what He will do for us, we must discover Him in The Word–from Genesis to Revelation–and develop a right relationship with Him, out of obedience to all He says–Love God and Love others–and then we can with assurance know–He will be our Rock.

Lord, open our hearts and minds to receive revelation knowledge through Your Word and embed that Word in our very beings so we will not sin against You. Create in us a desire to please You in all things and not man who is so fickle they change from moment to moment. You are our Solid Rock and we cling to You–for comfort and shelter from all harm and we thank You for being who You are in our lives.

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Refuge!

“The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:40 NIV)

Who does the Lord help and deliver? The righteous–those in right-standing with God can count on The Lord helping them and delivering them from all that attempts to hold them bound by the temptations influenced by evil. He delivers them from the wicked and saves (those in right-standing with Him) because they seek refuge in Him.

Every community should be a “safe haven” for those who live in it, but we know that does not always happen. Evil lurks, seeking whom it will attack and devour in our times, just as it did with the walled cities of old. The difference then is the cities had the watchmen walking the walls, looking for the attempts by others that meant danger to those who lived inside. When danger was seen, the alarm sounded and everyone knew what they had to do.

In addition to the walled cities for the majority of the occupants in a region, there were also cities built as a place of refuge for those who had been estranged from their place of origin or for those seeking shelter from the harm of others because they had accidentally killed someone (Numbers, Joshua).

I remember that in one neighborhood where I used to live, my home became the apparent refuge for children seeking shelter from harm by those living there who were certainly not law-abiding. There was drama unfolding on one particular evening and I looked out the door to see my porch full of children who were trying to get out of harm’s way. Most of these children participated in my “porch” bible study during the summer and I was glad they felt my house was a safe haven–a refuge from harm.

In the midst of stormy weather, we are told to seek refuge in low-lying areas and for those of us who have basements–to run to the basement for shelter. In the Midwestern regions–open ranges, they have storm cellars in which they seek shelter from the storms.

In the storms of life, filled with uncertainty and confusion, Our God is our refuge–a place where we can go and no one can harm us. When we are in right-standing with Him, there is nothing we cannot expect from Him–safety from those who would harm us, deliverance from things that would distract us, provision when we are unable to provide for ourselves, wisdom when we lack it and ask for it, mercy and grace we cannot earn, and love overflowing–when we are emptied out and need replenishing.

If ever there was a time we needed to know where we can find refuge, that time is now. Dangers are all around us–bone-chilling weather, icy road conditions, mindsets in opposition to God’s Word–all dangers that should cause us to run to The Lord, seeking refuge in Him to avoid the consequences of staying on the path of the wicked.

Don’t linger in the face of danger–RUN to the Lord and seek shelter in Him!

Tower Against The Storm!

“But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD,
a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.
You are a refuge from the storm
and a shelter from the heat.
For the oppressive acts of ruthless people
are like a storm beating against a wall,” (Isaiah 25:4 NLT)

Well-built towers–whether to house a light-house or skyline a castle can weather the storms of nature or withstand the onslaught of rebellious people.

The Lord is a strong tower–One in which we can be assured of safety against all the elements and those who oppose and rebel against His Word.

We can expect–the needy to find help from those who know The Lord.

We can expect–those in need of shelter from the storms waged by the enemy to find safe haven.

We can expect–provision from being decimated by extreme seasons and political unrest.

We can expect–with certainty–for all those who create problems to suffer the consequences of their actions–whether they are on the right side of The Lord or the wrong side for His justice does not discriminate and He holds no bias based upon political affiliation or any other trait or entity (openly or behind closed doors) that defies Him.

He sees and knows all things and His Word–shall uphold all who obey it and for those who do not–that same Word will convict and bring about the consequences for going against Him.

It is not a mystery for it is written–for the benefit of all–whether it is believed or not–nothing changes it for the Lord is King of Kings and whatever the King has written–He will not change.

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to understand with clarity who You are, how You want us to live and all that You have prepared for us when we obey and when we don’t. Create in us a heart of flesh that desires to please You and not self and a will to obey You, and not the dictates of men. Thank You for being The Strong Tower for all who will run to You!

In the Midst of the Storms

We have arrived in this season at a point where many will have to take shelter at a moment’s notice.

Spring–usually the beginning of tumultuous storms–tornadoes, hurricanes, thunder and lightning–means we have to learn to take cover in an instant, sometimes without warning.  Remember, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz–the wind, and rain that led her family underground for shelter, but she didn’t make it?

Life has its own storms we must learn to weather–sickness, disease, betrayal, disappointment, loss of loved ones–and we must know where we can seek shelter from these storms.  The shelter or refuge we seek when life’s storms are suddenly upon us is in His arms.  God is our refuge–hiding place, shelter–where we can be safe and secure from impending doom.  We can weather it all because of Him.  The winds of life may cause us to bend or sway, but they won’t break us or destroy us before we run to safety if we remember–He is our refuge, a strong tower–in the midst of any storm, we will survive.

Trust Him today to be the shelter or refuge you need in the midst of life’s storms.  He’s closer than you think and His arms are outstretched, waiting for you.