#484 How To Be a Refuge Like Him Song of Songs 8.7 Part 1
There are times when I feel far away from those who are closest to me. So I asked the LORD for His perspective. Much of the time what I think is missing in someone else may also be a lack on my part. What is in my power according to Your leading and strength, to restore intimacy and closeness?
There is no closer relationship than our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. One description of this relationship is Refuge. It is the relationship we RUN to with our needs, ie when we need HELP! “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
They are also the ones we “run to” with our joys and gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
What makes Them a Refuge? And how can Your work in me make me a refuge?
Psalm 139:1-6 We are thoroughly known, thoroughly understood. “Hear my cry; listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.… Psalm 61:4NASB
Create in us this depth of commitment, this sanctified listening that searches to understand, and that seeks to assure what is understood and seeks to respond to what is understood. James 1:9
“Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 17:8 You have the resources and ability to protect us, and it is Your instinct, part of Your heart to do so.
Mould our hearts to be a refuge for one another, part of our new creature instinct.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 Teach us also to be accessible and available.
“Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” Song of Songs 8:7 The love of Christ provides a refuge through waters of challenge and sometimes overwhelming difficulty. This love is shed abroad in our hearts, a love which gives all its riches, and is often misunderstood. Romans 5:5-8; Philippians 2:5-8 Empower us with this love for one another, to weather the storms of life and relationship.
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 They surround us with reasons to praise and with the confidence of deliverance and victory.
Create in me the reflex of encouragement.
“For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.” Isaiah 25:4
Teach us to be part of the shelter from difficulty instead of part of the storm of criticism and negativity.
Colossians 3:8-10 Teach us to speak with appropriate honesty spoken with deepest respect, according to Your leading. Ephesians 4:15, 29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Seek not to fix, but to be lead to speak and act according to the need as They see it.
Help us to see each relationships through Your Tenacious Love.
We trust You in awe of Your work in each one of us.
There are times when I feel far away from those who are closest to me. So I asked the LORD for His perspective. Much of the time what I think is missing in someone else may also be a lack on my part. What is in my power according to Your leading and strength, to restore intimacy and closeness?
There is no closer relationship than our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. One description of this relationship is Refuge. It is the relationship we RUN to with our needs, ie when we need HELP! “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
They are also the ones we “run to” with our joys and gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
What makes Them a Refuge? And how can Your work in me make me a refuge?
Psalm 139:1-6 We are thoroughly known, thoroughly understood. “Hear my cry; listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.… Psalm 61:4NASB
Create in us this depth of commitment, this sanctified listening that searches to understand, and that seeks to assure what is understood and seeks to respond to what is understood. James 1:9
“Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 17:8 You have the resources and ability to protect us, and it is Your instinct, part of Your heart to do so.
Mould our hearts to be a refuge for one another, part of our new creature instinct.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 Teach us also to be accessible and available.
“Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” Song of Songs 8:7 The love of Christ provides a refuge through waters of challenge and sometimes overwhelming difficulty. This love is shed abroad in our hearts, a love which gives all its riches, and is often misunderstood. Romans 5:5-8; Philippians 2:5-8 Empower us with this love for one another, to weather the storms of life and relationship.
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 They surround us with reasons to praise and with the confidence of deliverance and victory.
Create in me the reflex of encouragement.
“For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.” Isaiah 25:4
Teach us to be part of the shelter from difficulty instead of part of the storm of criticism and negativity.
Colossians 3:8-10 Teach us to speak with appropriate honesty spoken with deepest respect, according to Your leading. Ephesians 4:15, 29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Seek not to fix, but to be lead to speak and act according to the need as They see it.
Help us to see each relationships through Your Tenacious Love.
We trust You in awe of Your work in each one of us.
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