Sunday, June 19, 2011 (Happy Father's Day) - Taking Permanent Refuge

     My Dad grew up in an environment that was often unsafe and unstable. As a result, one of the most important things he felt he could give his three children was a home in which we felt safe and to which we could bring friends without worry or fear. He was an excellent provider when we were growing up and wanted us to have homes we were proud of and could enjoy. All three of us had our share of friends over to play and spend the night and our house also served as a foster home and a place for youth and friend fellowships.
     Our Heavenly Father wants to be our permanent Refuge where we feel safe and secure in an unsafe and unstable world, but He offers much more than the traditional refuge.  Prison serves as a refuge for many convicts, but not because they find joy, peace and contentment behind bars, but because they're more afraid of living on the outside. However, God is a Refuge Who opens the door to freedom and gladness where we can sing in the joy of our relationship with Him.  

"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." 

Psalm 5:11

      When I think of a refuge I think of the closets, refrigerators or safe rooms people hid in as this spring's tornadoes stripped away everything around them. I have yet to hear a testimony from anyone who wanted to sing for joy in these temporary forms of refuge. If we think of God as safe room type of refuge, we'll go to Him during the storms and neglect Him between them. God offers His Presence as our relationship-Refuge, as our constant and permanent dwelling place in which we can find more than we ask or imagine. 

"Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 

according to His power that is at work within us, 

to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 

for ever and ever! 

Amen." 

Ephesians 3:20-21

Personal fears and temptations wait around every corner today, but if we keep our eyes on Him we'll leave most of them behind in their ambush positions. God is the Refuge we need  even on cloudless days.

"To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy --" 

Jude 24

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. 

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; 

I will never leave you nor forsake you."  

Joshua 1:5

Father, we all have friends who show up or call only to ask favors or when they have problems. Whether or not we call them a true relationship, it's not the kind of relationship we want with You. We Need Thee Every Hour, but we forget. Forgive us when we treat You like a foxhole. May we rejoice, sing, and worship You with all our hearts today and tomorrow. May we allow You to break our habits of handling most of our lives without You and calling on You when we hit a snag. Thank You for the "immeasurably more" part of Your promise. You're immeasurably more than we could hope for or imagine as a Father. Happy Father's Day!

In the Name of Jesus, the Son Who lived and breathed Your Presence

Inspired by Jesus Calling

Photo from the family album