Take Refuge

Take Refuge

For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;

    with you, evil people are not welcome. 5 The arrogant cannot stand

    in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; 6    you destroy those who tell lies.

The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. 7 But I, by your great love,

    can come into your house; in reverence I bow down   toward your holy temple. 8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness  because of my enemies— make your way straight before me. 9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;

    their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

10 Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall.

Banish them for their many sins,  for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;   let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,   that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;   you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

2 Tim 3:1—5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

There have always been untrustworthy people. Ever since the fall. But like everything else, God has advice on that too. In talking with people this week, I had 2 different people express problems with untrustworthy people. I am afraid the closer we get to the end times, the more this will happen. Be aware. Pray for discernment. Telemarketers are notorious. Never give any of your information over the phone. They use email, text and any new electronic resource they have. One friend told me how another friend did something very deceitful and it was very hurtful from a friend, someone she trusted. We have all had experiences like this. It’s more painful coming from someone we care about than if it were a stranger over the phone. BUT… God is here for us! He warns us that these things will happen, then he gives us a refuge. A shelter. A place to hide and heal. Remember, people are flawed. God is not. Even good friends. Even Christians can let you down. God NEVER will. He can’t. He is perfect. We are not.

Lord, thank you for being here to help us through times of hurt, of pain, both heartache and physical pain. You alone are worthy of our praise.

Amen

Shirlene Peterson