Community Devotions

In the Lord I Take Refuge

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 11:1,4,5,7

1 In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain." 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. 5 The LORD examines the righteous…7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice, the upright will see his face.

OBSERVATION

What do you do when fight is no longer an option and flight is the only choice left? What happens when the wicked are ready to attack? Where do you go? To whom do you turn? David a man after God’s heart resolves to take refuge in God. God is his hiding place even when he is advised to run like the wind for the mountains to escape. Why? Because the Lord examines everyone on earth. Not only do his eyes see everything but he examines the heart of the righteous. He examines the righteous because he himself is righteous. He is looking for men and women after his own heart who take refuge in him so that he can give them strong support. 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."

APPLICATION 

Where do I take my refuge when I am overwhelmed or feel surrounded by accusation? In the LORD I take my refuge. Instead of running to isolation I am going to turn to him because he is righteous and he examines my heart. When my heart is blameless towards him and I am pure in motives and clean in conscience, he gives me strong support. Point of application:

- Examine my motives because God surely will! Make sure that everything is done in love for God and for people.

- As a pastor watch out for favoritism: Don’t favor the cool, powerful or the rich but lead out of a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5).

- Turn to the LORD for my refuge! When I feel overwhelmed or surrounded, I naturally gravitate towards the refuge of isolation or shutting down to everyone but I need to take refuge in the Lord in solitude.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,Thank you for being my refuge. Please forgive me for taking solace in other things and other people. In you I take my refuge. Continue to examine my heart. Reveal blindspots so that I can love with a sincere faith & pure heart. I stand firm in the gospel. Help me to always turn to the cross and remember that you died for my sins. I remember your resurrection and know that you have accomplished a new life of victory over sin. I want to love you and serve you with all my might. Be the Good Shepherd over my wife, family and ministry. I love you. Our Lord, come!

Divine Regret

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 15:34, “And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel”.

OBSERVATION

Saul went from divine appointment (“The LORD sent me to anoint you king…”) in the first verse of chapter 15 to divine disappointment ("And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel”) in the last verse of the chapter. How does the the hand-picked, anointed king of Israel turn heel to become the heartache of God? Here’s some leadership lessons from Saul:

• Obedience > Sacrifice: Partial obedience is still disobedience. Instead of fully annihilating all things Amalekites he spared King Agag and the best spoils in order to make a sacrifice to God. Saul thought he was doing God a favor by making a sacrifice from the Amalekite spoils but actually it was a hindrance to God’s divine plan to judge Amalekite as a nation (15:2-3).
• Fear of God > Fear of Man: Given the choice to walk in the fear of God or the fear of man, Saul disobeyed God because he was afraid of the people and obeyed the voice man.

APPLICATION

Bobby Clinton’s conclusion that only 30% of leaders in the bible finish well is both staggering and sobering. Seventy percent of men and women of God in Scripture who have been anointed, called and qualified to leadership failed to finish strong. The word for regret is the same word to describe God’s grief in Genesis 6:6, “And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart”. Can you imagine God grieving in his heart and feeling remorse?May it never be said of me that God regretted to anoint me as husband to Renee, father to Judah/Noah/Ezra and pastor to New Hope Community Church. Points of obedience:

- As a Christ follower: Walk in integrity and obedience. Ensure a fresh and thriving relationship with Jesus through confession and repentance standing firm in the gospel. Pursue Christ above all else. Discipline myself for godliness.

- Husband: Love Renee and lay down my life for her. Lead with love and courage in all things.

- Father: Lead with grace and truth. Prioritize relationship over behavior. Set the example of obedience to God in the home.

- Pastor: Obey God and choose the fear of God. Preach the whole counsel of God’s word and don’t be afraid to take charge in church discipline. Shepherd God’s people with skillfulness of hands and integrity of heart.

PRAYER