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Article Archive |
2008
In the LORD I take Refuge
by Jim Morris
“I'd be skeered if I were you, preacher!” warned a former church member. “Ye better stop preaching against my political party or ye will be in fer war!”
“Brother, I only preach against sin not politics,” replied the country preacher. “Why should any political party support evil that goes against what is written in God's Word?”
“You call abortion “pro-choice” but God calls it the murder of innocent children. And again, you call “cloning” a miraculous, medical cure but God still calls it murder of helpless children. You call homosexuality an “alternate lifestyle” but God calls it an abomination,” continued the preacher. “Why is it that you put your trust in sinful men who try to please other sinful men? But as for me, in the LORD I take refuge.”
“Now yer in fer it, preacher!” yelled the disgruntled ex-member. “See! Ye are high-n-mighty, intolerant, bigoted and narrow-minded! Don't say I didn't warn ye when they come gunning for ye!”
Another man had folks “gunning” for him, too. His name was David but he had a secret weapon—faith in God.
“In the LORD I take refuge,” declares David, King of Israel, in Psalm 11:1. Others counsel from fear but David lives by faith. Therefore, he will not listen to their counsel.
David made a pretty bold statement. Perhaps we have done the same on occasion. Nevertheless, we have often backpedalled on our great confession as well. “You don't understand how dangerous and serious my situation is?” we may whine.
David had more than his share of dangers and hardships. In his early life, King Saul hunted him like an animal and relentlessly tried to kill him. In his latter life, his own son sought to murder him and take his throne. In between those horrific times were countless attempts to discredit him, take his throne, and even take his life. How did he survive?
First, David discusses the counsel that comes from fear, saying, “How then can you say to me: 'Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?'” (Psalm 11:1b-3).
Danger comes treacherously. It hides in the shadows looking for just the right cowardly opportunity to strike. Who would not be afraid of such people?
Second, David gave faith's answer to fear, saying, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face” (Psalm 11:4-7).
God is in control! Though He lives in heaven, nothing escapes His sight. He knows and is concerned about the struggles we face each day. Every person is closely scrutinized by His piercing gaze—both the righteous and the wicked. Doom is the destiny of the wicked but “upright men will see his face.”
02-06-08
# 6
