God Our Refuge From Cradle To Grave
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Exodus 29-30 and Psalm 71 (NIV)
(Julian Lim, Precept Facilitator)
READ:
The following verses in Psalm 71 caught my attention:
v3: Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress
v5 &6: For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb
v18: Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
v16: I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
OBSERVE:
I can have the same confidence as the Psalmist (v3) to claim God as my refuge and come uninhibited before Him to share my sorrows and be comforted. When my mind gets so clouded with doubts and worries, I have a resting place where I feel safe and secure, knowing my God loves and protects me. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mathew 11:30).
I am assured by verses 5 and 6 that God has always kept watch over me throughout my whole life, from birth until I am old and grey (verse 18). My hope rests in Him.
I will remember what He has done for me and will worship Him and proclaim to everyone his mighty acts for He is Sovereign in everything.
APPLY:
Psalm 71 resonates with me because it reminded me that God’s goodness and faithfulness was always there for me even when I was more interested in pursuing my career and never truly sought Him for guidance during my early adult days. I believe I lacked at that time what Proverbs 9:10 declares: ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding’. He rescued me and delivered me and turned His ear to me and saved me (verse 2).
As I reach my senior years, I find verse 18 so comforting knowing that my Heavenly Father keeps His promise and will not forsake me.
DO:
I will endeavour to do the following with the help of God: keep a constant habit to journal daily when reading His Word
– maintain a quiet spirit and have a slow-to-speakquick-to-listen attitude
– try not to miss Wednesday prayer session
– continue with small group band sessions
I will not forget Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways submit to him, and He will make my paths straight.” It helps me realise the need to come to God in prayer first and seek his guidance and wisdom.
My heart will sing the ‘Goodness of God’ song lyrics: “His mercy never fails me when I wake up until I lay my head. I will sing of the goodness of God. He has led me through fire and in the darkest night, My Lord is close like no other. He is my friend and my Father. In whom I can forever depend.”
PRAY:
Dear Abba Father
Thank you for being with me from birth, through youth and now when I am in my senior years. I am grateful that you fill me with joy and peace each day. Continue to fill me with your truth through the reading of your Word and give me humility to serve you in church and in the community. Help me to pray with boldness, to be strong and courageous, not to be fearful of the uncertain future, for the Lord is with me wherever I go. Amen!
