Luke 1:78-79

"Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

“The eternal God is thy refuge.”

Deuteronomy 33:27

The word refuge may be translated “mansion,” or “abiding-place,” which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fullness and sweetness in the metaphor.  For dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being.

It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God, we “fear no evil.” He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest.  It is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life’s conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose.  We are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with him, laying open all our hidden desires.  For if the “secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him,” the secrets of them that fear Him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord.

Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labor. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden and quickens the fingers to perform the task.  And in this sense, we may also say that God is our home. Love to Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labor in His cause. We feel that we must work, for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father’s heart to make glad by bringing home His wandering sons.  

We would fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell. Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!

-- C. H. Spurgeon

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer
Psalm 67

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer Topic:  Pray for Truth and Righteousness

In the parable of the wheat and tares explained by Jesus in Matthew 13, Vs. 43 records how Jesus declares:  “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

There are many claiming truth in our crisis.  Some are like the tares in the parable by Jesus.  Jesus is truth and the source of all truth.  Experts from a variety of specialties within the medical community are offering opinions and advice related to the crises and management thereof.  Experts from a host of other fields, from pharmaceutical research to economics are offering their opinions and advice as well.  There is much contention related to, and now compounding the crisis.  We need to take care how we communicate as Christians, trusting Jesus will take care of our disposition.

Pray that we would maintain loving attitudes even when dissenting opinions and challenges arise.  Pray that we would seek peace and pursue peace.  Pray that we would extend grace and for our speech to be seasoned with grace.  Pray that no unwholesome word would proceed out of our mouths. 

Pray for leaders and experts and for those who give them counsel.  Pray that counsel is of the Lord, whether they acknowledge Him or not.  Pray that God would direct the thoughts and minds of those making decisions for our country and our lives.  Pray that we would leave the “tares” of this crisis to Jesus and His wisdom and that we would take great care to give Him glory with our lives and speech and actions.

“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3