Take Refuge Until the Disaster Has Passed

Welcome and thank you for joining us for tonight's our daily bread evening meditation.

God welcomes you to come and take refuge under the shadow of his wings this evening.

Gently rest your head on your pillow and take a moment to acknowledge that God is present with you.

He invites you to draw close to him. The God of heaven loves when you make space and time to have

fellowship with him. Take some deep calming breaths.

Pause and let the waves of activity settle into gentle ripples of rest.

Sense the calmness that comes from the one who is always at perfect peace.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, you alone are my refuge and fortress, my safe place in times of trouble.

I run to you tonight. I take refuge in your presence. May I know your protection and care,

especially where I am vulnerable and prone to fear.

Psalm 57 verses 1 to 4 says, Have mercy on me, my God. Have mercy on me for in you I take refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

I cry out God most high to God who vindicates me. He sends me from heaven and saves me.

Rebuke those who hotly pursue me. God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

I am in the midst of lions. I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts,

men whose teeth are spears and arrows whose tongues are sharp swords.

I am in the midst of lions. Water terrifying feeling. The psalmist's tormentors and enemies

feel like a pride of ravenous beasts circling teeth barred muscles tensed to pounds,

wild hungry eyes scanning for the slightest vulnerability.

What would you want from God in a moment of sheer terror like this?

A warrior to fight off the lions for you. Super speed to outrun the lot of them.

A weapon that would wipe them all out. The Lord did answer the psalmist's desperate prayer.

He rushed in and saved him. He rebuked the enemies, then pulled out something even better.

God sent forth his love and his faithfulness.

Love and faithfulness. Not weapons. Not armies. Not wisdom and intelligence. No.

God sends his love and faithfulness.

When we are afraid, the Lord gives us himself, his salvation in his presence, his love and his

faithfulness to keep every promise he's made. And so the psalmist says, I will take refuge in

the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

Are you feeling surrounded or overwhelmed tonight?

Maybe you're facing circumstances that make you want to hide away from it all.

That instinct is okay, but the place we've been given to hide is in God in his love and faithfulness.

You can take refuge in him tonight, sheltering under his wings until the disaster has passed.

You may still have to take action and make decisions, but you can hide your heart in the Lord

and rest in his protection for as long as you need.

He is right here. You will never have to step forward without him.

As we turn to prayer, allow every part of your body to relax,

flex and release each muscle.

Consider how awesome, strong and powerful God's love for you is, that it can be called a fortress.

No spiritual enemies or ravenous beasts could rip through God's love and faithfulness towards you.

As we come to a time of prayer, the psalmist reminds us in Psalm 36 verse 5.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Breathe deeply.

Follow this pattern of long, slow exhales. We'll just listen if you prefer.

Breathe in,

and out,

and in,

and out.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I thank you that your love and faithfulness know no end.

And please forgive me for trying to find security anywhere else.

I am fortified by you, Lord. I am strengthened, reassured and comforted by your promises.

Thank you that I can shelter under your wings where I am safe from every

enemy.

Thank you, God, that you know the challenges, worries and problems I face.

You know the enemies within and without that threaten my peace.

When I feel like my feet are slipping, like I'm about to give up, take hold of me,

Lord, place me upon the rock and remind me that I can hide in you for as long as I need.

You'll never kick me out or tell me to move on. Thank you.

Psalm 32 verse 7 says,

You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Let's close with a final prayer.

Loving Lord, may I fall asleep peacefully, knowing I am hidden in you,

surround me, him, me in with your deliverance.

And when I wake up tomorrow, help me to remember that I am in the fortress of your love

and nothing can break through it.

Amen.

Amen.