Refuge
Good Morning,
We all face trials. Sometimes trials are very personal, and other times, trials involve finances or health troubles that enter every life — but no matter what, each trial is an assault.
Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”
vs. 2 “I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.”
vs. 3 “He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.”
Notice one important phrase: "until these calamities be overpast." God promises that the trial will pass. Trouble may be our guest longer than we desire; but looking around, we understand that most of our friends have faced and gone THROUGH many difficult times. The fact that tomorrow will come is sure; but the bigger question is, where will we be found tomorrow?
Notice David's clear statement of where he will be found;
"...in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."
When trouble comes, we usually run somewhere, mentally or physically. Some people get angry at God and church and run from the spiritual refuge. Some people blame their families or places of employment and run to seclusion. Others TRUST their circumstances to the Holy One of Israel and run to Him "until these calamities be overpast."
Where we run when circumstances get bad will determine where we will be when the trial passes. I know that statement is obvious, but it is profound in reality. Too often, we make choices based upon where we are, not on where we will end up. I want to pick out where I want to end up, and then make whatever choices I need to make to ensure that I end the trial in the correct place.
I will not choose to be angry and unkind to people. When "these calamities be overpast," I am supposed to love my neighbor as myself. I cannot become bitter toward the Lord; when "these calamities be overpast," I will desire to have His guidance and help. I cannot slander and accuse the people of God; when "these calamities be overpast," they will remain the very best people on earth. The best friends I and my family could have are found in the church, and I am not about to burn my bridges in anguish to find myself unable to cross back over them when "these calamities be overpast."
We must remember that "these calamities" will be overpast. In forty years of Christianity, I have faced troubles. In thirty-seven years of marriage, we have faced dark hours. In bringing up four children, trouble has visited our home more than a few times. I am so thankful to God that, in these times, He helped me guard my lips and my heart so that when "these calamities be overpast," I still had a good relationship with my friends, my wife, and my children.
Trials will pass. The hurt will subside. The anguish will be lost in the past, but where we run during our pain will determine where we will end up when "these calamities be overpast." When the trial ends, we may want to keep the same job; therefore, we must be careful to run to God and not to attack our employer or to impulsively quit during the trial. I want to end up with the right friends and the right church. I do not want to have to find another church because I have hurt my own name and my church. The trouble will pass. Run to the Lord with your pain; and when "these calamities be overpast," you will be stronger and closer to the Lord.
Psalm 57:1 "...for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."
I want to end up nearer to God when trials pass. I want to be close to my friends and children when trials pass. I want to be a part of my church when trials pass. The safest place to run is to the Lord -- He will be my refuge! I will end the trial in the same place I began, safely with friends, family, church, and the God Who saved me.
Pastor