EBENEZER: STONE OF HELP

Lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I, for you have been my REFUGE, a strong tower against the enemy. Psalm 61:2b-3 ESV

REMEMBER VERSE:

For you have FORGOTTEN the God of your salvation and have not REMEMBERED the Rock of your REFUGE; Isaiah 17:10 ESV

The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving REFUGE of his anointed. Psalm 28:8 ESV

DEVOTION

Our world offers us many illusions of refuge. Food or alcohol might dull the pain. If we feel unloved, the internet offers a substitute. Netflix allows us to binge watch other people’s lives and avoid our own.

But false refuges fail. Always. Their temporary comfort ends as soon as we stop consuming them, and then we’re left with calories, guilt, shame, or regret. More bad feelings to deal with.

HALLELUJAH, our Refuge provides actual comfort, adds no pounds, and cleanses our minds rather than polluting them. Jesus is our REFUGE. Regardless of our sorrow or disappointment or fear. The doors of our REFUGE always stand open, welcoming us into the Lord’s loving embrace.

• When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. ... the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the ROCK of my REFUGE. Psalm 94:18-19, 22

• PRAYER: Lord, please help me REMEMBER that You hold me and that You are my REFUGE. I don’t want to go anywhere else for comfort other than You. I bring You my hurts and ask You for help.

• O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my REFUGE in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come … Jeremiah 16:19 ESV

• PRAYER: Lord, help me know that my peace doesn’t come from You fixing my problems, but from resting in You, my REFUGE, while the problems rage around me. YOU are my strength.

QUESTIONS:

What are the most difficult challenges you face?

Where do you find yourself running for REFUGE from your problems?

What does it mean to you that the Lord’s consolations will cheer your soul? How does it help to realize the Lord holds you? (Ps. 94:19)

CHALLENGE:

Look at your answer to the second question above. Every time today you feel yourself running to that false refuge, stop and say, “No,” out loud. Then turn to your TRUE REFUGE and rest in Jesus instead.

Write the word, “The Lord is my Refuge” on a piece of paper and tape it to whatever you turn to the most: refrigerator, TV, computer, romance novel, game console, wallet, pantry. Leave it there for a month. It will help you REMEMBER: God is your REFUGE!

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take REFUGE in him. Nahum 1:7

All Scripture from the ESV. Emphasis added.

Tomorrow on Day 6 we will remember the God is Our Redeemer

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