Category Archives: Refuge

Abiding, Bible, Consequences, Danger, Devil, Evil, Protection, Refuge, Scripture

A LION’S ROAR

ZECHARIAH 11:3

“There is a sound of the shepherds’ wail, for their splendor is ruined; there is a sound of the young lions’ roar, for the pride of the Jordan is ruined.”

There is something majestic about a lion as it struts around. Until you are close to this animal you can’t picture its true size. And when they roar, it can put cold chills up your spine. I would hate to have to live among them. You can’t trust a lion not to attack. Lions do what lions do.

You may not think about lions being a part of the Jordanian landscape. They aren’t now, but they were up until around the 12th century. When the people were taken into exile, the forest of Jordan were left uninhabited. The lions moved in this shady area to avoid the heat of the desert. Their roars would have been a common sound in the area, another reminder of God’s judgment.

APPLICATION

We all have reminders of our sins. Some of those reminders leave scars. Others are just memories of our disobedience and subsequent consequences. We may not have lions move in and roar, but we have the enemy to deal with every day. When we are not living for Jesus, we leave ourselves open to the attack of forces of darkness.

James 4:7 tells us, “Submit, therefore, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 remind us, “8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.”

Will you heed those warnings? Or will you allow the lions to move in and roar all around you? I prefer to live without the lions, please. I only want one lion around me. That is the Lion of Judah – Jesus. His roar will be heard around the world one day when He returns with a shout! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

Your roar, O Lord, strikes fear into the enemy but joy into the hearts of Your children.

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Abiding, Bible, Covenant, Promises, Refuge, Safety, Scripture

MY ROCK 

NAHUM 1:7 

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” 

Can I just say that my wife is my rock? She is steadfast and sure. She stuck right by my side through both of my stem cell transplants. She has moved from state to state with me as the Lord has moved us in our ministry. Packing and unpacking, decorating and painting. She is my place of refuge on this earth. 

The word “stronghold” can be translated as rock. Nahum reminds the believers that God is their fortress, their stronghold. When all breaks loose, and it is going to, they can run to their place of refuge. He will see them through the hard times that are coming. I love how Nahum begins this verse – “The Lord is good.”  

APPLICATION 

I pray the Lord is your rock and place of refuge. As much as I love my wife, she is not my ultimate stronghold. Jesus is. I know He is always there and will always be there. He understands me as no other. When I come to Him and pour out my heart, He is always listening. 

Let’s be honest. We do not always pay attention when people are pouring out their heart to you. Try as you might, your mind can wander. Not Jesus. He is laser focused on you. He knows your needs before you ever voice them. When you are scared and confused, He welcomes you into His arms. 

So run to Him. Let me encourage you to do a word study on the words “stronghold” and “refuge.” Take comfort in this. Look back at the verse. The last phrase says. “He knows those who take refuge in Him.” He knows you by name. I will run to Him. I want to hear Him call my name. 

We praise You, O Lord, for being that steadfast force in our lives. We run to You and are safe. 

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Abiding, Advocate, Affection, Bible, Commands, Eternity, Heaven, Hope, Refuge, Scripture

REFUGEES

OBADIAH 14

“Do not stand at the crossroads to eliminate their survivors; and do not hand over their refugees on the day of their distress.”

Man, we have all seen the flood of refugees from Ukraine these past few weeks. People are fleeing a war-ravaged land seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Poland, in particular, has welcomed hundreds of thousands. People of all ages, women, children and the elderly are leaving their homes behind to find a safe place to live.

God warned Edom to treat the refugees from Israel (their brothers) with care. They should not mistreat them in any way. They were to not hand them over to their enemies or kill any trying to escape. God cares for those seeking refuge in times of trouble.

APPLICATION

I love Psalm 62:8 which says, “Trust in the Lord, you people; pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” We are all refugees. We have all left our earthly home to move to that heavenly abode. We seek refuge in the God of the universe. He welcomes all.

A refugee forsakes all to find a new home. They may leave behind homes, businesses, cars, boats – everything. Their hope is in that place they are headed. They are seeking somewhere to call home. We are just the same. We are seeking that home with God.

I am so thankful that my permanent residence is already prepared for me in Glory. I may have a home here on earth, but my permanent dwelling place awaits me. I will make that journey one day and never return. I am ready. Are you?

Take me home, Lord, whenever You are ready. The longer I stay here, the more I long for home.

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