Take Refuge in the Lord
A stabilizing verse is found right in the middle of the Bible. As a matter of fact, it is Psalm 118:8, long considered by some as the middle verse of the Bible: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psalm 118:8) Every verse in this chapter mentions God.
“Man” as used here is a reference to human instincts, our conscience. God, not our human conscience, should be the final arbiter in decision making. Therefore, a well indoctrinated conscience is an aid in making right-minded decisions. A conscience that does not have such a basis is more subject to making wrong decisions.
Therefore to make better decisions become better versed in Scripture. It should be our desire “to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:16).
Taking “refuge in the Lord” means to let God through His word and by His Spirit guide you in decision making. Unbiblically informed people today are saying everything about America is wrong and we are going to change it or burn it down.
Not all of our Founding Fathers were Christians, but they were well informed on the Bible. Most of them had been educated by ministers. The foundation of America was forged by people whose conscience was guided by the Bible. They took refuge in the Lord. The rioters today are being guided by their unbiblically informed conscience.
It is therefore incumbent on us to hide His word in our heart that we be guided in all we do.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Take courage in your refuge all you who are dispirited.
Who, Me Worry?
Do you ever spend time worrying about some future event? Whatever the experience is, you engage in a big time worrying session playing, “what if.”
Have you ever thought about it, worry is simply negative thought, nothing more. Worry is the only sin we brag about. “I worried so much I couldn’t sleep,” or “I worried so much I couldn’t eat.”
Our beloved Lord has said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” We muse, will it really be? Think about it, hasn’t it always been?
In the Medieval Era one of the Reformers was condemned to be burned alive at the stake. The night before his execution screams were heard coming from his cell. He was trying to see if he could stand the pain leading to his death. To do this he was sticking his finger in the flame of a candle. Each time he put his finger in the flame, he withdrew it in pain. The next day as he stood tied to the stake with the flames rising around him he was heard singing a hymn.
God’s grace was sufficient at the stake, though it wasn’t the night before. What made the difference? At the stake he needed God’s grace and had it, the night before he didn’t need it and didn’t have it, but was imposing on God’s grace.
The promise is “My grace is sufficient for you.” That is not future or past tense, it is perpetual present tense. It is not sufficient before needed, but every time when needed. Let that dispel your worry, knowing when needed His grace is sufficient. Now frame your thoughts in that light and confidently think positively.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 12:9
When Paul initially received that promise, he had been appealing to God to take away his thorn in the flesh. By God’s grace he learned:
Affliction is most often a time of great spiritual growth.
Apathy is a spiritual virus that overtakes us and consumes us.
Therefore, may we say with Paul, “I gladly glory in my affliction.” It is possible to transition from griping to glorying only if II Corinthians 12:9 is applied. Remember who said, “My grace is sufficient.” If you need a reminder, it was the God of all grace who loves you, who desires, and designs good for you.
Evaluate Your Love for Jesus
Chinese Christians have been ordered to renounce their faith in Jesus and worship President Xi Jinping. What does that mean? It is known Xi is not divine. What then does it mean to worship him? They know he cannot function as our God, that is, perform supernaturally, to do for them what the Christian God alone can do for His people.
To worship him means to give their supreme loyalty to him. To regard his decisions as right, and worthy of compliance, to adore him, and venerate him. It means to comply with his rules, commandments.
For the Christians it is a one way street. Xi can never do for them what the Christian God can for His people.
For the Christians it means they are to hold Xi in the same regard Christians are to hold their God, to be in awe of him. To worship means to sincerely be motivated by love from within for Xi, to submit to his authority and power. Praise is an integral part of worship. Likewise obedience is fundamental in worship.
The Chinese Christians have been ordered to love Xi more than they do Jesus.
Are you beginning to get the picture? Consider those traits expected by Xi. Then take note that they are the same traits we are to show our God.
A lawyer asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. This was not a new question, the scribes had been debating it for centuries. They had documented 613 commands in God’s Law—248 positive; 365 negative.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.‘” Matthew 22:37
HEART. In ancient times before medicine was advanced it was believed by many that thoughts originated in the heart and were carried by the blood to the brain where it became conscious. So we are to love God with all of our thoughts “whole heartedly.” From the heart “flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
SOUL. We are to love Him with all our soul. This is a reference to our human nature. We are to love God with our passions, hunger, perceptions, and interest.
Our very nature should be to love Him. We are also to love Him with how we talk, and what we do with our hands, and how we utilize our talents, and how we react to challenges. Our entire being is to be a display of our love for God.
MIND. We are to love Him with all of our mind. It is estimated the average person thinks over 50,000 thoughts and accomplishes hundreds of tasks every day. How many of your thoughts a day please Him?
With these thoughts as a background, stop now and evaluate how you love the Lord and engage in a new current commitment to Him.
The Colosseum
Much of our vocabulary has its roots in Greek and Latin of the New Testament era. Examples: “arena” is Latin for sand; “circle” is Latin for circus; and “podium” is Latin for a place of honor.
Paul was writing to young Timothy from Rome, from within sight of the construction of the Colosseum and the existing Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus in the time of Caesar seated 150,000. In the time of Titus 250,000; in the 4th Century, 385,000.
These places saw much blood shed. At one feat 600 bears and 800 lions died. During the 120 days of dedication of the Colosseum 12,000 beasts and many humans were killed. Here many of our ancestors in the faith died.
Come inside the Colosseum for a moment. Beneath the main floor are cages for 2,000 wild beasts. At one end of the arena is a large arched entrance. It is the “Porta Sanavivaria,” Latin for the “Door of the Living.”
The choicest location in the seats was reserved for Caesar. It was called the Podium. He was considered by the Romans to be their God. As the gladiators entered the Porta Sanavivaria they chanted “Ave, Caesar, Morituri Salutant” = “Hail to Thee, O Caesar; those about to die greet thee.” How could they enter with such joyful delight knowing many of them would die? Because they believed they were offering their life for their god, Caesar.
When a person was dismembered, wounded or killed, slaves dressed like the goddess of the underworld, used large hooks to grab them in the chest and drag them through the Door of Libertina, the “Goddess of Corpses.”
This was the environment in which the roots of Christianity grew.
When you are called on to take a stand for Jesus in an alien environment remember the examples of your spiritual ancestors. This is a good moment to pause and declare your devotion to our Lord who died for us.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
Count Your…
Some mornings I wake up and feel like praying, “Dear God, I don’t feel like you’re within a country mile of me.” Perhaps even during the day you feel that way. It may be you ate pickles and peanut butter on your cookies, and you just don’t feel good. Or it may simply be the ionic concentration in the atmosphere is off that has you “out of sorts.”
It is then that you need to remember that feelings are fickle, but facts are fixed, and pray, “Dear God, I don’t feel like you are here with me, BUT I know you are, therefore let’s you and me go get ’em.” That reality is based on the promises of God.
There are various kinds of promises in the Bible.
Some are to specific persons or groups at a given time only.
Some are directed to particular people, but the concept is relevant to all of us.
Some are applicable to all people for all time.
It is inappropriate to apply the first of these to us. We should be aware the second kind of these is not directed to us, but the principle is relevant to us. The third one is ours to enjoy fully. With that in mind, enjoy such promises daily.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV It was directed to a certain people, but the principle applies to us.
Here are a couple that are germane in every life.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
“… he will not forsake his saints.” Psalm 37:28
Armed with such truth… go get ‘em.