Today I took a detour from my normal reading in the Bible and sought out some verses that would be helpful to keep on hand as to remind me to the look to the Lord this week. I've been really struck with the concept of seeking God as a refuge and a place to hide. As much as I want to just crawl in a dark hole and be alone for a few days until the storm passes by (see post below), I've really been struck with the concept of seeking God as a refuge and a place to hide. I was crying out to God today for salvation from my sin, when I realized that He already has saved my from my sin, and from any power or hold that sin can have on me. It's like I know I'm free, but I can't really taste it - I still feel bound. So I asked the Lord to be my refuge, to save me, and to show me how He already has saved me. I wanted to share a few verses that I found:
Psalm 18:30-33
"As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God, the God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon high places."
I so desperately need the Lord to gird me with strength, and I want and need to experience Him as my rock.
Psalm 31:19-21
"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! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for He has made marvelous His lovingkindness in a besieged city."
God has stored up His goodness for those who take refuge in Him! Now my prayers to God really begin to take shape, as I ask not only for Him to be my refuge, to hide me in Him, but also that I could experience that goodness that He has stored up for me. I feel like I'm in a "besieged city," a prime target for Satan to shoot his arrows into me. But you know what? He has made marvelous His love in the midst of it. He is showing me how marvelous His love is, and this, more than anything, is making me victorious over the enemy!
Psalm 62:5-8
"My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
I love these verses! What a reminder that my hope is not in anything but God, who is a rock. My salvation and glory rest on Him, and I will not be shaken!
And lastly,
Psalm 68:28
"Your God has commanded your strength; show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf."
While God commands me to be strong and to stand firm, He is strong on my behalf! What an amazing concept!
I wrote all of these verses out on note cards this morning and took them with me in the car on the way to a meeting with a friend. I read them aloud to myself in the car, and I literally could feel God strengthening me as I read. I prayed for God to be my refuge - I don't just want to think about how he can be a refuge, but I want it to be a reality. I want His strength in me to be a reality. It sure does seem like He is taking me there as I meditate on these truths. Praise God that He is faithful and unchanging - the same God that David cried out to, whose love and truth and salvation he experienced, is the same One who is my refuge!
how's the hiding going?
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