REFUGE AND PORTION

Good morning Church! As I was reading my devotional calendar this morning it had an uplifting scripture as well as a beautiful picture. I would like to share how it encouraged me for today. As we all know we have to take ‘one day at a time’ in this season of life. God gives us each and every day to walk through with Him. If we concentrate on the past or the future too much, it clouds and dims our present communication with our Maker, and that can lead to worry and what does the scripture say about worry? You got it! (Matthew 6:25; 27; 31-33)

Today’s scripture was Psalm 142:5. It was David’s prayer to the Lord for deliverance from Saul while he was in the cave in the Wilderness of En Gedi. I believe David was feeling very despondent with all the situations that were coming against him as he cried out ‘No one cares for my soul.’ Does that sound familiar Church? Even as Children of God we sometimes get discouraged when situation after situation comes against us for one reason or another. What do “we” do? Do we sit down and feel sorry for ourselves saying, “I can’t do this, I’m just going to give up.” Did David do that? I don’t think so! Read verse 5-7. I’ll quote verse 5 since it is the title of this paper, but it goes with verse 6 and 7 (a must read, too).

Psalm 142:5

“I cried out to You, Oh Lord; I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Saints, “in the land of the living” is this present time, right now, today, just like it was the “present” time for David long ago. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and giving in to-giving up; David tells God (who already knows anyway) that he knows and believes that “He” is still in control of everything; no matter how much bad, evil, destructive, or negative things that can happen in our days on this earth, God is still in control. “You are my refuge and portion.” David said this in TRUST and BELIEF in his God. Can we say that and mean it today, Church?

Now let’s find out what the dictionary says about the words refuge and portion. Both words have several meanings so we read around the sentence it was used in for the actual meaning for this phrase. It was a cry for help from David for protection from Saul who was trying to kill him.

Refuge: (Noun) shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc. (w.b.e.d.)

Portion: (Noun) a part; share; one’s lot; fate. (w.b.e.d.)

Alright Church, the meanings are clear. David didn’t have the “Fact” of his sins being forgiven and taken away by Christ’s Atoning Blood Sacrifice at this time, only the Promise, but he did know, some way-some how, God would keep him in His sheltering protection because of his portion or inheritance.

Well Saints, that Promise from God to His People, Israel, is also our inheritance as Born Again Children of God through His Son’s Blood Sacrifice. So that “Fact” has now turned into a TRUTH through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. We already have the shelter of Christ’s Nail Scarred Hands as our refuge and portion.

Our part in this equation is to read, listen and learn from God’s Spirit “in” us to walk in that TRUTH. To be lead by our spirit/heart (which is God’s through our confession for Christ) is our portion and refuge.

Can we be like David, ‘A man after God’s own heart’ (Acts 13: 22) and totally TRUST and BELIEVE in our God? Total unguarded love and faith in Him is the answer here Saints. We can do this-------I know we can when we:

TRUST AND BELIEVE IN GOD

All other scriptures are from: New King James Version of Prophecy Study Bible, General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwise stated.