Refuge In The Lord (Psa. 11)

Read Psalm 11.

1. I SEEK REFUGE IN THE LORD'S PRESENCE, NOT IN TROUBLE'S ABSENCE (11:1-3).
1. David's decision (1:1) > "In the Lord I take refuge."
2. Counselors' advice (11:2-3) > worldly, fleshly thinking (well-meaning, logical but bad advice)
• Flee somewhere else.
• Fear what's coming.
• Assume the foundations are destroyed.
2. I SEEK REFUGE IN THE LORD'S JUSTICE, NOT IN WHAT MY SENSES SUGGEST (11:4-6).
1. The Lord sits on the Throne (11:4).
• The Lord is in charge.  
• The wicked are not in charge.
• Circumstances are not in charge.
2. The Lord sees everything that happens (11:4).
• This is not a passive observation but an active assessment (11:5-6).
• Notice that there are only two categories:  righteous and wicked.  There is no in-between.  Decisions and actions have consequences, both temporal and eternal.
3. Conclusion:  WHY I WILL STAND BY MY DECISION TO TAKE REFUGE IN THE LORD (11:7)
1. You must decide your bottom line.
• From this you will speak.
• From this you will act.

Why You Can Be Strong in the Lord

• His love to you is ever-lasting.
• His comfort to you is ever-abundant.
• His help to you is ever-present.
• His Spirit in you is ever-active.
• His promises to you are ever-inspiring.
• His thoughts about you are never-ending.
• His presence with you is ever-more.
• His angels around you are ever-working.
• His will for you is ever-effective.
• His saints near you are ever-helpful.
• His coming for you is ever-near.
• His Word to you is ever-speaking.
• His counsel to you is ever-reliable.

Encouragement During Suffering (Gen. 21:17)

Read Genesis 21:17.

What you expect to read is "And God heard her voice."  Yes, He did, but that's not what the verse says.  It says, "And God heard the boy's voice."  (To my knowledge this is the only record of Ishmael's praying.  He probably did pray at other times, since Abraham would've modeled and encouraged that.)

1.  God hears the prayer of the one who suffers.
2.  God hears the prayer of the one who comes alongside the one who suffers.
3.  God not only hears your prayers but He responds to them.  He is full of compassion.

Haggai 2:1-5

photo: pinterest.com

Read Haggai 2:1-5.

Circumstance can't cancel covenant.  

You look around (Why are you doing that, anyway?) and conclude that things were better yesteryear. From that conclusion, you self-determine that God's intent toward you is different now.  That's a sure way to welcome fear into your life!

In spite of the circumstances you're in right now, God says, "My covenant is still in effect; I'm still with you."  Then comes a sigh of relief.  Panic begins to fade.  Fear loses its grip.  The work at hand begins to prosper.  At least  a little.

It is one thing to read an encouraging word such as this.  Do you believe it?  Unless you believe it, you'll never escape from that doubt, that black cloud that lingers.

The Lord On Your Side (Psa. 124:1)

Read Psalm 124:1.

1.  The possibilities.  Two are better than one.

2.  The privilege.  The Lord, Creator and Omnipotent, at your side!

3.  The partnership.  Side by side with God, you face things together and are never alone.

4.  The premise.  The Lord is on your side because you are on His side (2 Chron. 15:2).

Jesus in The Storm (Mk. 6:47-52)

Read Mark 6:47-52.

• Jesus looks at you.
• He sees your storm.
• He sees your effort.
• He sees your weariness.
• He sees your frustration.
• He sees your fear.
• Jesus comes to you.
• He doesn't supervise from a distance but gets "up close and personal."
• He is not merely "God out there" but "God right here."
• Jesus talks to you.
• He speaks encouragement.
• He speaks peace.
• He speaks reassurance.
• He speaks relief.
• Jesus gets in with you.
• He's already been in your storm; He wants to be in your "boat."
• You need His presence as much after the storm as you did during the storm.

My Prayer (11/09/16)

Read Luke 11:46; Galatians 6:2.

Lord, today I want to be a burden-helper, not a burden-maker.  May  my words and deeds lead to helping, strengthening and encouraging Your people.  May people be glad that I was around.

Verse of The Week (10/23/15)

Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.

(Isa. 43:19)