Place of Refuge and Danger

The introduction to Psalm 18 tells us that David wrote this psalm when he was finally free from the attacks of many enemies, including Saul. It recounts some a strategic lesson he learned during the years when he found refuge in a wilderness.

After leaving Nob, David fled to the rock caves of Adullum, so he could have had a specific image in mind when he wrote, God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. (Ps. 18:2b NIV) He describes his desperate circumstance: The chords of the grave coiled around me; the snare of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord. . . . (v. 5b, 6a)

But then we read, the foundations of the mountains shook. . . . (v. 7b) The rocks that had provided shelter had become a place of danger!

This can happen when we cry out to God. He might provide a place of refuge. But later, when we cry out again, He might answer by shaking the very things He gave us for security in the past. That’s when we’re called to draw from His abiding presence. David wrote, He reached down from on high and took hold of me . . . the Lord was my support. (v. 16,18)

His circumstances had changed, but his God had not.

The same holds true today. Everything around us can seem to crumble when things don’t fit our doctrine or theology—our concept of God. But His reality is bigger than circumstances. He is bigger than we can imagine. He is with us through the depths.

Originally published August 5, 1988.

Opportunity to Trust

Moses said to the Israelites, remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart. . . . (Deut 8:2a NKJV)

When reading that verse, it is important to remember that God doesn’t send tests to see how well His people will do. He sends them as opportunities. We can choose Him or not choose Him. And no one—not even God—predetermines responses during a time of testing. Every person—or every nation—is free.

Nor is God a passive spectator. Because He cares so much, He interacts with individuals and with nations, working to bring them to a place where they have greater opportunity to make the right choices.

When the Israelites came to the end of their long journey through the Wilderness and were about to enter the Promised Land, God reminded them of the blessings He had provided: Your garments did not wear out on you or did your foot swell these forty years. (v. 4) That was the case even though he often allowed hardship before He provided. He allowed them to experience hunger, thirst, failure, attack from hostile armies, etc. Each trial was an opportunity to trust Him—to walk in his ways and to fear Him. (v. 6b)

Originally published July 3, 1987.

Enter Into God's Rest

The Israelites who followed Moses into the Wilderness were actively engaged in doing God's work. They were His chosen vessels. Nevertheless, Scripture tells us, The messge they heard was of no value to them because those who heard it did not combine it with faith. (Heb. 4:2 NIV)

That is a sad statement. Hebrews 11:6 enlarges the concept. It reads, without faith it is impossibel to please God. God is looking for people who believe that He is real and who will come to Him in faith. The Israelites repeatedly failed to come to Him or to ask for help. They murmured against Moses instead.

The rewards of faith are not based on actitity or great works. Faith acknowledges and accepts our inability to earn any merit before a perfect God. He calls His people to seek Him and trust Him. Today, in our time frame, our hope is to look to Jesus, to His life, His death, and His resurrection.

There remains then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work. . . . (Heb. 4:9 LB)

Originally published September 23, 1983.

To Build the Tent/Tabernacle

The Tabernacle was an elaborate tent built by the Israelites as a worship center. It could be assembled and taken down again so they could move it when they traveled through the Wilderness. When assembled, it housed sacred articles—including the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat—and it became the symbol of God’s Presence among His people. It was also the place where people brought their sacrifices.

Many factors came into play when the Israelites built their Tabernacle. They needed silver, gold, fine linens, colorful threads, incense, oil, and other materials to follow God’s plan. (Ex. 35) God told Moses to collect an offering. When he did, everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering. . . . (Ex. 35:21a NKJV) They offered items given to them when they left Egypt.

Skilled craftsmen were necessary. Moses identified Bezaleel as the chief artisan. Aholiab was also identified by name. They joined together with every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom. . . . (Ex. 36:2b)

The stiff-necked people of Israel were far from perfect—just like God’s people today. But they had God-given abilities, and God honored them by calling them into His service.

Originally published on October 16, 1981 and December 27, 1991.
Picture: Marigolds along I-90, Minnesota, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Spiritual Bread

God fed the Israelite when they were in the Wilderness by sending manna in the mornings. Because the manna was life-sustaining, and because it came at a crucial time, succeeding generations of Israelites always looked to it as a sign. People even asked Jesus what sign he would give so they could believe as the people believed Moses when God sent manna.

By that time Jesus had already performed many miracles—He had even multiplied five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed five thousand people just the day before! The crowds might not have realized they were participating in a miracle—they simply received food as the disciples handed it to them. Nevertheless, because they lacked spiritual insight, they didn’t recognize the supernatural ministry of Jesus.

Maybe that’s why Jesus didn’t talk about bodily food when he answered them. He focused on spiritual sustenance instead. He said, For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world . . . I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (Jn. 6:33,35 NIV)

Jesus focused spiritual sustenance, because it offers the key to both physical and spiritual life. When we receive Jesus, we receive the life of God. He is our our daily manna, our spiritual bread.

Originally published May 30, 1986
Picture: Viewed from the street, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.