PSALM 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,

     an ever-present help in trouble.

I am a refugee in this world

Searching for a place of peace in amidst the war that rages on the inside and outside

Everyone needs a refuge

Everyone needs strength

Everyone is in need

Everyone is in trouble

All have fallen short and need catching

We need catching today

We need arms that can catch us

We need help now

The present is always now

Our need is ever+present

Where do we go for our refuge?

Where do we go for a little bit more strength?

What thoughts invade our minds to help us survive another war torn day?

Our refuge

Our strength

Our trouble

Our present

It is all connected…

Can you see it?

Humanity is hurting

Our hearts need changing

Our hearts are fallen

Our hearts are holding on by a thread of pride

It won't hold.

Wait.

For.

He.

Who.

Is.

Ever+present.

In the beginning He was present

In the end He is present

Now He is present

JESUS.

THE PERFECT MAN.

EMMANUEL.

GOD WITH US.

CHRIST.

SAVIOR OF HUMANITY.

OUR REFUGE.

OUR STRENGTH.

EVER+PRESENT.

THE CROSS CROSSES ETERNITY TO REACH INTO MY HEART NOW.


LORD YOU ARE MY REFUGE + STRENGTH

WHERE THE EVER MEETS MY PRESENT

IT ALL HANGS ON THIS.

+jk

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9


I love that God asks questions...that makes me smile.

It is interesting what God commands of us
Sometimes in religious piety we are tricked into thinking God has commanded us to be weak and afraid...
But perhaps what we miss is that we are weak without being commanded to be weak - that's why we need grace

God's saving work through the CROSS+ is so confronting to me
I realised last sunday that I murdered God

Seriously...

Yet the Father allowed His son to take all our murderous sin upon himself
Jesus did it willingly out of love for His Father and for a fallen humanity

Who do I think I am to be afraid or insecure when a Most Holy & Perfect God died for me?

So today I receive the command of God...

BE STRONG & COURAGEOUS
DO NOT BE TERRIFIED
DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED


Why and How?

Because the CROSS+ has shown me that the Lord God will always be with me wherever I go.

He meets me at my point of weakness everyday through the cross, looks into my eyes and commands me to:

BE STRONG & COURAGEOUS
DO NOT BE TERRIFIED
DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED


it all hangs on this
+jk