'Refuge' (Day 4) God’s Refuge; God’s Victory

Describe the quietest part of your day. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the quietest and 10 the loudest, mark on the chart where your mornings are (A.M.); your afternoons (P.M.); your evenings (E); and your nights (N).

1              2              3              4              5              6              7              8              9              10

Read Psalm 46:1-3. What descriptive words does the psalmist use to portray the tumult caused by sin? What kinds of noisy tumult do you see in the world today? Describe a noisy time in your own life.

·         In the very first verse, however, we are told that God is our refuge and strength. How was He a refuge for Jehoshaphat? For Anna? For Martha? At other times for the children of Israel?

·         How have you found God to be a personal refuge for you in the last few weeks of this course?

·         Read John 4:10-14. What does this say about living water? Why is Jesus, our living water, necessary when our lives are under siege? What other blessings does He give?

·         In what ways will the Christian church today not be moved? Why? What does this mean for you? For your faith?

Think of the greatest violence of all times: the beating, the scourging, the piercing, the agony, the death of Jesus. God’s justice demanded perfect atonement for sin. Only through Jesus’ perfect life, His violent death, and His glorious resurrection was God able to put an end to the results of sin: eternal damnation and everlasting separation from Him. How much God loves you and me!

Psalm 46:10

·         Why do we need to “be still and know” that God is God? How will you exalt God in your own life? With family? With friends? In your neighborhood or community? In your church?

“Be still and know” that God is God for a period of two or three minutes of absolute silence. Exalt God in your mind, Meditate on His greatness and power, His strength for you, and His claim on you.

“The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:11).