Welcome!
Today: God is our only true refuge
Passage: Luke 12, 13; Psalm 46
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13, NIV 84)
When something bad happens somewhere, the news people have got stuff for the next few days/weeks
In the same way, many of us are busy explaining why it happened there!
We come up with so many stories about their faith, beliefs etc.
So, we have Jesus himself speaking to us; we are not qualified than Jesus, to comment about anybody, I think
God is a God who gives chances, but not forever!
God gave enough chances to Pharaoh, before the exodus of the Israelites; even the day before He sent the judgment, Pharaoh could be seen sitting on his throne with all the pride that nothing could ever move him. Then, we see them drowning in the water!
Don’t we say, “that or anything like that happened in Japan won’t happen to me”?
It is not that we should live in fear or doubt. It is good to live with a positive approach and confidence; but our trust and confidence must be in the Lord
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15-17-NIV 84 -emphasis added)
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
Even though we say we trust in God, we all have a certain amount of confidence in the flesh. We enjoy taking pride in what we have
But the only thing that cannot be taken/ stolen away from us is our faith and trust in God. Come what may, we should be able to hold on to God
When doctors tell you “only so much time left” or, when you need a “jack” to take that beloved one of yours from under the car, how will you face it?
I have been there; I have faced it, because of His grace only
That is when you understand, how great a God we serve!
Then, you will be able to say:
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.(Ps 46, NIV 84-emphasis added)
God bless you; be thankful. Help someone out there
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for protecting and preserving us. When we escape some of those great catastrophes, help us to be more humble, loving and caring, instead of feeling more proud of ourselves. We are what we are, because of you and what you did for us, Lord Jesus. Thanks again. Amen