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Date Posted: 15:44:18 11/15/02 Fri
Author: Cheri
Subject: Friday's inspiration..



FINDING REFUGE

_________________________

2 Samuel 22:1-20 (NRSV)

David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
For the waves of death encompassed me,
the torrents of perdition assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me,
the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon the LORD;
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears.
Then the earth reeled and rocked;
the foundations of the heavens trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.
Smoke went up from his nostrils,
and devouring fire from his mouth;
glowing coals flamed forth from him.
He bowed the heavens, and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.

He rode on a cherub, and flew;
he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
He made darkness around him a canopy,
thick clouds, a gathering of water.
Out of the brightness before him
coals of fire flamed forth.

The LORD thundered from heaven;
the Most High uttered his voice.
He sent out arrows, and scattered them
--lightning, and routed them.
Then the channels of the sea were seen,
the foundations of the world were laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD,
at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

He reached from on high,
he took me, he drew me out of mighty waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me;
for they were too mighty for me.

They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my stay.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

_________________________

David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies. ... He said: "The LORD is ... my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge."

- 2 Samuel 22:1-3 (NRSV)

_________________________

I was attending a meeting in the boardroom on the top floor of a building on a university campus in downtown Washington, D.C. A sudden summer thunderstorm brought high winds and darkened the room with its low, black clouds. A loud noise suddenly made discussion difficult. Then we noticed that a large number of migrating Canada geese had sought refuge from the sudden storm on the wide windowsills of the building. We temporarily forgot the business of our meeting to watch the geese who had found refuge from the storm in the midst of a large, busy city.

Those birds caused me to see a spiritual truth: when difficulties arise in our lives, we can seek refuge in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether we are lost in the midst of a crowd of people or find ourselves alone in some remote place, God is with us, offering us sanctuary when we feel overwhelmed by the world.

Prayer: Lord God, our hiding place, help us always to be aware of
your presence with us. No matter where we are when the storms of life surround us, thank you for being where we are. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
At all times and in all places, God is our refuge.

-- Paul Spencer Flynn (North Carolina, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Business travelers
________________________

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