July 7-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 34:4, I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Observe what it is saying.
David, the psalmist, had foes chasing him and fears aimed at sowing depression, defeat and discouragement in his life. Perhaps you can relate? Many things have gone wrong, so you fear the worst as you look to the future. Your mind races. What if this or that happens? The “what if” thoughts of life tend to immobilize, isolate, and incapacitate us. They immobilize us because they dominate our thoughts. This, in turn, causes us to feel alone, isolated, abandoned, and forgotten. In so doing, the fears prevent us from functioning in a normal way. They incapacitate us and make us unproductive. David shows us how to find freedom from this vicious cycle: seek the Lord. In everyday life, this appears as putting our scattered thoughts, concerns, fears, and worries on a platter and giving them to God. In exchange, God invites us to worship Him and rest in His peace and care. No wonder David wrote many psalms! He learned to exchange worry for worship, and God repeatedly filled his heart with joy. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 6, Refuge)
Relate it to your life
When I learn to exchange worry for worship, my heart will be filled with joy.
Do something.
God, please deliver me from my fears. I want to exchange worry for worship. Fill me with Your peace and joy. Amen.
July 8-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 18:2, 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, my stronghold.
Observe what it is saying.
Here, David the psalmist describes God as His refuge using three different terms: rock, fortress, and deliverer. While the words may sound similar, let us look more closely to see what they teach us. As our rock, the Lord serves as a stable, trustworthy foundation for life in an unstable world riddled with corruption and brokenness. As our fortress, He serves as our shield and the horn of our salvation, meaning that He protects us from real danger. And as our deliverer, He puts us in a safe place, a stronghold, so we need not fear any foe. Whether or not we face hard times right now, each of us certainly will face them at some point in our lives. Such times will overwhelm us if we do not center our lives on the Lord as our rock. When tribulations abound, God invites each of us personally to declare our confidence in His protection and care, just as David did. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 7, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Which image speaks to me the most today: God as my rock, fortress, or deliverer?
Do something.
God, I proclaim You as my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. Thank You for giving me stability, protection, and care. Amen.
July 9-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Ecclesiastes 7:14, When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
Observe what it is saying.
Solomon tells us to enjoy the good times and embrace the bad ones as both coming from God. He also adds that the future is uncertain. So why does the wisest man who ever lived instruct us in this way? Candidly, most people live as though they think they can control both the present and the future. Hence, frustration arises when life does not go as planned. Imagine an alternative approach. What if we choose to give thanks in our present circumstances and entrust the future to God? We will gain at least three benefits. First, we will enjoy each in the present as a gift from. God. Second, we will welcome bad times and trials, knowing that God allows them for our growth and His glory. Third, we will have peace rather than worry related to the future. No wonder Solomon gave this advice! Most of us get this wrong. When we do, we grumble about the past, fail to enjoy the present, and dread the future. That’s no way to live. God wants more for us. What if we develop a pattern of giving thanks in all situations and placing the future in His capable hands? (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 8, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I choose to give thanks for God’s activity in my past, live joyfully in the power of the Holy Spirit today, and trust my future into my Savior’s hands.
Do something.
Lord God, I surrender my present and future desires to You so that Your eternal purposes will be accomplished in my life. Amen.
July 10-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 4:26-27, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Observe what it is saying.
When something happens that does not seem right, we get upset. When injustice inflicts wounds in our lives, the response goes much deeper. We feel angry. In response, we might cry, “This must stop!” It is right to experience anger because of our moral sensitivity. However, we cannot lose our minds or surrender to our emotions. At this point, the anger can start to burn hotter within us. Each of us has a decision to make in the face of injustice, we can hold on to the anger or give it to God. Consider the implications. When we hold on to anger, the devil gets a hold on us. Notice the expression about sundown. The Jewish day ended at sunset. To hold anger beyond that moment implies that we offer the guest room of our heart to the evil one. This gives him space to wreak more havoc. In this situation, righteous anger (or the right way to relate to anger) appears as giving it to God, described in other biblical texts as the only righteous Judge. He’s the only One who can make things right. This response is a paradox. It’s also one of the many counterintuitive ideas linked to finding refuge in God. We find peace only by letting go. Does anger have a hold on you? If so, let it go. Give it to God. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 9, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I get to choose what I will do with my anger. I can hold on to it and let it eat me alive or give it to God.
Do something.
Lord, I give You my anger. Fill my heart with peace instead. Amen.
July 11-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 34:18, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Observe what it is saying.
In the face of disaster, David assures us of the compassionate presence of the Lord. We refer to this as compassionate because the Lord moves with love toward hurting and hopeless people. Like the Lord, we get to move close to brokenhearted people. Most people do not move in this direction, saying, “I don’t know what I would say to a brokenhearted person.” To this we reply, “You need not say anything.” Many refer to this as the ministry of presence. The fact that we can move close to people in distress communicates more love than any sermon and more kindness than any words. And it may just keep them from giving up and from losing heart. We will never forget the words of a weary relief worker on the front lines of war who said to us, “Thanks for coming. We don’t get many visitors, and your visit really encouraged us.” We said very little on our visit. Our presence sent a message of hope, solidarity, and love. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 10, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I should never underestimate the power of presence. My presence signals the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
Do something.
God, teach me to draw near to the brokenhearted as You do. Amen.
July 12-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Genesis 7:1, The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
Observe what it is saying.
God found Noah to be righteous in his generation, so He made a way of escape from judgment for him and his family. Many people read this story and miss the vital relevance for us in these modern times. God looks for people who choose to do what is right regardless of what everyone else is doing. When He finds such people, He shows them how to avoid allowing the corruption around them to destroy them. And interestingly, God does not just save such people, He saves their families and preserves His creation in the process. Consider the implications for today in war-torn or desolate places. God has already shown us in other texts that He will avenge sinners and address systemic injustice. This text teaches us that He wants to provide a future and resources to those who choose to live rightly. What does God find when He looks at you? Be like Noah. Be found righteous in your generation, and God will certainly look after you. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 11, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Regardless of my circumstances, as a follower of Jesus, I have been declared to be righteous by His blood and an empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the right thing.
Do something.
Lord God, teach me to live rightly in a world filled with wrongdoing and trust that You will care for me when judgment comes. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 34:4, I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Observe what it is saying.
David, the psalmist, had foes chasing him and fears aimed at sowing depression, defeat and discouragement in his life. Perhaps you can relate? Many things have gone wrong, so you fear the worst as you look to the future. Your mind races. What if this or that happens? The “what if” thoughts of life tend to immobilize, isolate, and incapacitate us. They immobilize us because they dominate our thoughts. This, in turn, causes us to feel alone, isolated, abandoned, and forgotten. In so doing, the fears prevent us from functioning in a normal way. They incapacitate us and make us unproductive. David shows us how to find freedom from this vicious cycle: seek the Lord. In everyday life, this appears as putting our scattered thoughts, concerns, fears, and worries on a platter and giving them to God. In exchange, God invites us to worship Him and rest in His peace and care. No wonder David wrote many psalms! He learned to exchange worry for worship, and God repeatedly filled his heart with joy. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 6, Refuge)
Relate it to your life
When I learn to exchange worry for worship, my heart will be filled with joy.
Do something.
God, please deliver me from my fears. I want to exchange worry for worship. Fill me with Your peace and joy. Amen.
July 8-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 18:2, 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, my stronghold.
Observe what it is saying.
Here, David the psalmist describes God as His refuge using three different terms: rock, fortress, and deliverer. While the words may sound similar, let us look more closely to see what they teach us. As our rock, the Lord serves as a stable, trustworthy foundation for life in an unstable world riddled with corruption and brokenness. As our fortress, He serves as our shield and the horn of our salvation, meaning that He protects us from real danger. And as our deliverer, He puts us in a safe place, a stronghold, so we need not fear any foe. Whether or not we face hard times right now, each of us certainly will face them at some point in our lives. Such times will overwhelm us if we do not center our lives on the Lord as our rock. When tribulations abound, God invites each of us personally to declare our confidence in His protection and care, just as David did. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 7, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Which image speaks to me the most today: God as my rock, fortress, or deliverer?
Do something.
God, I proclaim You as my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. Thank You for giving me stability, protection, and care. Amen.
July 9-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Ecclesiastes 7:14, When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
Observe what it is saying.
Solomon tells us to enjoy the good times and embrace the bad ones as both coming from God. He also adds that the future is uncertain. So why does the wisest man who ever lived instruct us in this way? Candidly, most people live as though they think they can control both the present and the future. Hence, frustration arises when life does not go as planned. Imagine an alternative approach. What if we choose to give thanks in our present circumstances and entrust the future to God? We will gain at least three benefits. First, we will enjoy each in the present as a gift from. God. Second, we will welcome bad times and trials, knowing that God allows them for our growth and His glory. Third, we will have peace rather than worry related to the future. No wonder Solomon gave this advice! Most of us get this wrong. When we do, we grumble about the past, fail to enjoy the present, and dread the future. That’s no way to live. God wants more for us. What if we develop a pattern of giving thanks in all situations and placing the future in His capable hands? (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 8, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I choose to give thanks for God’s activity in my past, live joyfully in the power of the Holy Spirit today, and trust my future into my Savior’s hands.
Do something.
Lord God, I surrender my present and future desires to You so that Your eternal purposes will be accomplished in my life. Amen.
July 10-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 4:26-27, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Observe what it is saying.
When something happens that does not seem right, we get upset. When injustice inflicts wounds in our lives, the response goes much deeper. We feel angry. In response, we might cry, “This must stop!” It is right to experience anger because of our moral sensitivity. However, we cannot lose our minds or surrender to our emotions. At this point, the anger can start to burn hotter within us. Each of us has a decision to make in the face of injustice, we can hold on to the anger or give it to God. Consider the implications. When we hold on to anger, the devil gets a hold on us. Notice the expression about sundown. The Jewish day ended at sunset. To hold anger beyond that moment implies that we offer the guest room of our heart to the evil one. This gives him space to wreak more havoc. In this situation, righteous anger (or the right way to relate to anger) appears as giving it to God, described in other biblical texts as the only righteous Judge. He’s the only One who can make things right. This response is a paradox. It’s also one of the many counterintuitive ideas linked to finding refuge in God. We find peace only by letting go. Does anger have a hold on you? If so, let it go. Give it to God. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 9, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I get to choose what I will do with my anger. I can hold on to it and let it eat me alive or give it to God.
Do something.
Lord, I give You my anger. Fill my heart with peace instead. Amen.
July 11-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 34:18, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Observe what it is saying.
In the face of disaster, David assures us of the compassionate presence of the Lord. We refer to this as compassionate because the Lord moves with love toward hurting and hopeless people. Like the Lord, we get to move close to brokenhearted people. Most people do not move in this direction, saying, “I don’t know what I would say to a brokenhearted person.” To this we reply, “You need not say anything.” Many refer to this as the ministry of presence. The fact that we can move close to people in distress communicates more love than any sermon and more kindness than any words. And it may just keep them from giving up and from losing heart. We will never forget the words of a weary relief worker on the front lines of war who said to us, “Thanks for coming. We don’t get many visitors, and your visit really encouraged us.” We said very little on our visit. Our presence sent a message of hope, solidarity, and love. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 10, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
I should never underestimate the power of presence. My presence signals the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
Do something.
God, teach me to draw near to the brokenhearted as You do. Amen.
July 12-Refuge
Write out the Scripture.
Genesis 7:1, The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
Observe what it is saying.
God found Noah to be righteous in his generation, so He made a way of escape from judgment for him and his family. Many people read this story and miss the vital relevance for us in these modern times. God looks for people who choose to do what is right regardless of what everyone else is doing. When He finds such people, He shows them how to avoid allowing the corruption around them to destroy them. And interestingly, God does not just save such people, He saves their families and preserves His creation in the process. Consider the implications for today in war-torn or desolate places. God has already shown us in other texts that He will avenge sinners and address systemic injustice. This text teaches us that He wants to provide a future and resources to those who choose to live rightly. What does God find when He looks at you? Be like Noah. Be found righteous in your generation, and God will certainly look after you. (Michael (Mykhailo) Cherenkov and Gary S. Hoag, page 11, Refuge)
Relate it to your life.
Regardless of my circumstances, as a follower of Jesus, I have been declared to be righteous by His blood and an empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the right thing.
Do something.
Lord God, teach me to live rightly in a world filled with wrongdoing and trust that You will care for me when judgment comes. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals