Refuge and strength...the Wayfarer
Refuge and strength
Psalm 46
King James Version (KJV)
46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Refuge and strength!
Refuge from evil, refuge from sin, not refuge for evil or refuge to sin, strength to overcome evil and sin, not strength to magnify evil or sin.
That refuge came and comes with a price, small though it may be, valuable to God more than anything else that could ever be offered Him, yet of no cost to the seeker of refuge, but rather the means to the wealth provided by that refuge and strength.
It comes only when it is finally acknowledged that there can be no refuge or strength greater than that offered through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, no wealth of any kind that exceeds the promise of eternal Life brought by Him. Redemption for repentance!
Redemption FROM sin, repentance OF sin, and loyalty to ONE Master only who will not, and cannot, countenance that sin.
Matthew 6:24 KJV
24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Too many do not see the difference between refuge from sin and refuge for sin, choosing to give that refuge no thought, as loyalty is extended to many masters rather than to THE Master that alone provides true refuge and strength.
It is propagated constantly as loyalty is extended to state over God, country over God, family over God, wants, over God, that are provided by loyalties that remain the rewards given by the masters served, rather than the reward offered by Christ Jesus that may be attained only through HIM, and is then shown through the loyalty TO HIM, denied each time another loyalty takes precedence over the loyalty demanded BY HIM.
"Love the sinner, hate the sin." is a quote addressed time and again as the differentiation of providing refuge for the sinner through the demand of repentance is ignored in favor of providing refuge for the sin by enabling the continuance of that sin by never calling into account the requirement of repentance, or the price exacted for the sin ignored.
Romans 6:23
King James Version (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
At what price is loyalty given when given to the master that is loved more than Christ?
That loyalty exhibits disdain, hatred, and denial of the Master that came to assure refuge and strength beyond the temporary, rewards beyond the temporary, and recognition that was never temporary.
Matthew 10:32-35
King James Version (KJV)
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law
At any time loyalty to Christ comes into conflict with loyalty to any other, that loyalty to Christ is tried, as it must be if it be real.
Any time refuge FROM sin is spurned in preference to refuge FOR sin, then false refuge is taken over that offered by HIM, no matter the numerous reasons and explanations given by those whose loyalties are transparent to HIM.
Refuge from sin must be offered to all, and has been offered to all willing to accept that refuge despite trend or philosophy that demands refuge for sin rather than the simple message of redemption for repentance given by a Savior, sacrificed, resurrected in proof of the refuge and strength held only through HIM.
2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day
Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer
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