A Safe Place

Not much has changed since these words were written. The rich have plenty of “friends” who hope to benefit from their wealth. Foolishness leads only to more foolishness, as those who make unwise use of credit cards can attest. Friendship with untrustworthy people will let you down. People like this do not know security.

On the other hand, kindness to those in need, wanting what is good, hard work, wisdom, honesty – these are the characteristics of the person who loves God and wants to please him.

A Framework for Justice

Life is sacred. The Lord sets up an expectation that innocent blood should not be shed in the land that he was giving his people. Life is to be respected and provision made to protect the innocent. In this case that meant cities of refuge should be established where people could flee if they accidentally did something that caused the death of someone else. In this city they would find safety and refuge.

Read More justice, refuge, killing, murder

Finding a Place of Refuge

What did you do when you were in a trouble as a child? Or what did you do when you were accused of something that you had actually done but were imputed motives that were not true or intent that was not present. I went to the closet in my bedroom. I do not know why but for some reason it felt like a safe space to me. Maybe everything would settle down or at least the immediacy would be tempered.

Read More innocence, security, guilt, refuge

Please Listen, Lord

As we read the life of David, we are made aware that he was often attacked by his enemies and often on the run for his life. Psalm 86 is David’s prayer in a time of great trial. His violent enemies have conspired to kill him. While many of us may never know this level of threat, still we have times of desperation and can discern much from him. What do we do when we are hard pressed, threatened or under attack?

Read More refuge, dependence, strength, weakness

Good News in a Wicked Place

The world is a wicked place and evil men run rampant. All we have to do is listen to the news broadcasts about events around the world, or look around in our own communities to know that statement is true. In fact, that statement has always been true, from the day Adam and Eve chose to trust the serpent instead of God and opened the way for sin to enter the world. Throughout history it has seemed that God does not see, does not hear, does not care.

A Song of Trust

When’s the best time to sing? Anytime!

Psalm 11 was written when David was in fear for his life – trying to avoid being killed by King Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 18-20). It’s simultaneously a lament and a song of trust – an expression of grief and a declaration of confidence in God.

Read More redeemer, refuge, trust in God