28 Oct 2009
Marybeth Whalen“You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.” Psalm 14:6 (NIV)When I read today’s key verse, I thought about the people who contributed to the financial mess within our country this past year. These people lined their own pockets without concern for the ramifications of their choices. They knowingly deceived those who trusted them. They covered themselves, while leaving others exposed in the process. They were like the evildoers who frustrated the plans of the poor. Sadly, lot of us were left feeling poor – financially and spiritually – as our plans were frustrated.
Thankfully, this is not where the verse ends. Yes, bad things happen. Yes, we have all seen our private finances affected by this public crisis. But this verse reminds us that the Lord is our refuge. I started thinking about what the word refuge means, and found this definition in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: “That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.”
Then I cross-referenced the word “refuge” in the Bible. I found many other scriptures that remind us that God is our refuge. Second Samuel 22:2-4 and Psalm 18:2-3 are the same verses repeated by King David while facing troubled times:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of my praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”
I love how both the definition and the verse talk about a refuge being a place where your enemies can’t get to you! Do you need that reminder today? I know sometimes I need to remember that He offers me that safe place I can run to … a place where my enemies can’t touch me!
We can claim the promise that is found in Psalm 17:14: “O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.”
People who make money their god receive their reward in this life. But they will spend eternity in longing. That doesn’t sound like a good trade to me!
God promises those who place their trust in Him He will keep from going hungry. He will make sure our children have plenty, and He will give us wealth to store up for our children. That doesn’t mean wealth like our world defines it. Jesus said that He doesn’t give as the world gives. In God’s economy, wealth exists in hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Unlike money, these are the things that last, and bring about eternal blessings.
Do you need to take refuge in God instead of letting bad news rule your heart and mind? Do you need to spend time today searching His Word for promises and assurances that will comfort your hurting heart and settle your anxious mind? Maybe you need to journal your feelings, pouring out your heart to God and seeking His answers. Maybe you need to pray without ceasing, allowing His presence to give you rest from worry. Whatever troubles you, seek refuge in God.
He is right there waiting for you to find shelter and safety in Him.
Dear Lord, I need You to be my refuge. Thank You that Your Word promises You will be a refuge for me in times of trouble. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Comments (38)
:dancingcow: i really needed to read these words on your post today. thank you SO much for sharing them!
being first was just an added bonus! hope you have a SUPER day yourself…
Yes, I agree..
Who is this and what did you do with my sister??? You can keep her… I like this post! :dancingcow:
Good morning! :dancingcow:
Hey! You are his sister! Both of you – erm – all 3 of you! 4? Whatever! You are all cool!
Very inspirational
I tend to take my shelter for granted.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trick or Treat!
Where’s the chocolate? :dancingcow:
:dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow:
I need to be reminded of this all the time! Thanks!
You are so inactive…get a move on, Girl…:dancingcow:
Hey! Your site hit the crapper!
That hat means you are CUTE!!!
How are your toes, Tude?
How is your nose, Tude?
Watch the old road, Tude!
And the green toad, Tude! :frog:
(Hey! Spazzz! Your turn next! Finish the poem! Or is this a Dr. Seuss thingie?)
TUDE! It’s Tudesday! :dancingcow:
Sock Stripper? :frog:
How are your toads, Tude? :frog:
Woo Hoo! You were first! You are number One!
:celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate:
I think Peahater is off visualizing whirled peas!
Hello! Where is everyone today?
I missed this . The content expresses the gospel , the good News . Jesus came for the poors and the weaks . ..and to bring hope to those who are desperate in their flesh of their soul.
Love
Michel
Oooo! What a way to start the day! Woo Hoo! :dancingcow:
TUDE!!!!
Got the reindeer!
Yes! We crack us up!
Chocolate milk?
You can people some of the fools all the time…
TUDE!!!! :dancingcow:
*shglaf* Yeah! Don’t think about how cute you are either!
IT”S TUDESDAY!!!! WAKE UP!!!! :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate: :dancingcow: :celebrate:
YEAH! The cows should sue for defamation of character! It was really the billy goats that licked the house! Tried to eat it too! Then the cow just wandered up and a billy goat ran off!
I feel a joke hiding in there someplace – but I can’t find it! I guess the billy goat said that was just to “Baaaaad!”
Where is the ear post? Its around here someplace!
WHERE is Spazzzz?!? TUDE!!!
OCTOBER 28TH! I have been looking at this post for almost 2 months!!!
Get to work Tude!!!
Time for a Christmas post!
You can post the tree you did not knock over!
Hey hawt-stuff! Where is your new post?
Happy Chirstmas Eve Eve! :dancingcow:
merry Christmas , Tude !
MERRY CHRISTMAS, TUDE!!! :dancingcow:
Dang! I can’t get this nose off! I wonder what kind of glue Alyosius_son used on it?
You want royalties on the work of art your MOM created?
I must admit though – you keep getting cuter and cuter! How do you do that? :frog: