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Refreshment in Refuge
by Gina Burgess
Our destination is assured because the Lord is the Fountain of Living Water. Isaiah 44:3 For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.
Discovering Refuge in the Lord…
When we stop and think about it, Jesus did not hurry through His ministry, checking His watch or always looking over the shoulders of His disciples toward the next project. He walked…He sat… He ate… He drank… He taught… He prayed... and prayed...
We never see Him in a rush nor does He get in a panic. He is the picture of peace and tranquility throughout His ministry. What is even more amazing, He knew exactly where His ministry was going to lead Him. As we read about Him, there are no “background” noises that are so loud we can’t “hear” what’s being said. Everything is focused upon Him. Why should we live our lives any differently? In fact this is exactly what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:31-34
31What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. 32People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 33Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. The Message
And He taught this lesson to His disciples.
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
David sings a song (Psalm 18) to the Lord after God rescued him from Saul’s clutches:
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge. My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold
Proverbs 14:26
In the reverence of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have refuge.
Seeking Refuge…
Boaz speaks to Ruth in chapter 2…
12 "May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
Consider Matthew 10:39 “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Do you feel like you have lost yourself in Him or are have you lost yourself in the world, in daily frustrations, in a hectic lifestyle? Do you feel like you are working and pouring yourself out for others and your family but have no time for yourself…much less for God?
If God were to really take care of all your daily, monthly and yearly concerns, how would this change your attitude toward your current responsibilities?
What would it take for God to take care of all your daily, monthly and yearly concerns? What would you have to do to allow Him control?
I woke up in a panic the other night. Things are not going so well and I have been praying so hard about my daughter and about the new leadership at work. As I sat up in bed, it hit me that I was worrying over absolutely nothing because I know I want God's will in my life over and above what I want. I know that He knows best., and I know that He has my best interest at heart because He is deeply interested in my welfare. Not only because I am His child, but also because He paid a very dear and precious bride price for me and you. So, I prayed, "LORD Your will be done." Peace flooded my soul. There is nothing like it, absolutely nothing like that peace that is Fruit of the Spirit. We can trust Him, for He is mightier than any problem or enemy. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
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Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon
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