Strength is not found in material possessions or our abilities. In fact, there are times when those things are stripped away. Inadequacy may be the reality, but fear doesn’t have to be the result.
Daily Devotion
Daily Devotion
Refuge: The Lord Cares for You
The Lord is good. God always has our best interests at heart. He never wastes our time. He is working in you today to prepare you for tomorrow. His assignments are not always easy. In fact, sometimes they are very hard, but he never leaves nor forsakes us. He has great plans for our future.
Refuge: Fearless
Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel was in the group taken captive to Babylon. When a decree went out that for thirty days everyone was required to pray only to King Darius, Daniel ignored the command. He went home and prayed to God before open windows. He would not deny his Lord.
Refuge: Able To Deliver
The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, overthrew Judah and took the best and brightest back to Babylon. Among the young men he took as prisoners were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When the captives were ordered to bow down and worship an image of gold, these three Israelites refused and were sentenced to die in a blazing furnace; but they lived without fear.
Refuge: Nothing Is Too Hard For You
God is all-powerful. He is able to do anything and everything consistent with his will. Nothing is too hard for him. God specializes in the impossible.
Refuge: God Has Great Plans For You
Whatever your circumstance, I can promise you this: God has not forgotten you and he will not forsake you. Even if it seems like you’re alone, you are not. Even when it seems like God has removed his blessings from you, he has not.
Refuge: In His Presence
The message of Israel’s false prophets was crafted to satisfy people rather than God. In response to Israel’s sin, they offered an unfounded peace. False teachers from every generation bring messages their hearers desire to take in. To every deceitful teacher and prophet God says, in essence, “You’ve got to be kidding!”
Refuge: God’s Purpose Will Stand
Isaiah 46:9-11
Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.
Refuge: The Invitation to Fearlessness
God invites you to fearlessness. He invites you to walk away from your anxiousness. Yes, I know it sounds a little crazy right now with all you are going through, but the One who makes the offer knows your situation inside and out. There is good reason to check, “Accept.”
Refuge: The Source
I am sitting here thinking of how totally dependent I am. If a coffee grower somewhere in Guatemala hadn’t done their job, I would have a serious headache right now. If some sardine fisherman slept in, I would have missed lunch. If a certain employee had stayed home, I would not be enjoying a diet vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic, and that’s just for starters. From my clothes to my computer to the light in my office . . . I depend on others for my existence.
Refuge: Incomprehensible
Someone has well said that we need to be reminded more than we need to be taught. I think there is a lot of truth to that. It is seldom a new nugget of truth that comforts me. More often it is the reminder of something I have forgotten or had pushed to a far corner of my heart.
Refuge: Close To His Heart
The Good Shepherd cares for his sheep. He leads them where the grass is lush. He leads them to clear, fresh streams. He protects them from the animals that would attack and kill. He keeps his flock together. Not one sheep is ever lost. He leads purposefully and gently. Sometimes he picks up the weak ones and holds them in his arms. He carries them close to his heart so they can hear it beat.