March 28, 2024

This Week…Psalms 9:9-10

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The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed.
A stronghold in times of trouble;
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You.
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9-10

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This week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have been focused on the Truth that our wonderful God and Lord is our Stronghold and never forsakes those (us!) who seek Him.  Our devotional writers have shared these promises given in this week’s passage through the devotionals they have written.  Here are a few of their thoughts….

In Blessings Are Better, Ahmee shared a really good perspective….

Here’s a thought: instead of asking God to give you money, why not ask Him to show you how to biblically manage your money so that you are better equipped to avoid money shortage situations.  Here’s another thought: instead of asking God for a better job, why not ask Him to show you how to appreciate the one you have.  My pastor told us that miracles are nice, but blessings are better.  At first I didn’t get it, but he explained that miracles go against natural happenings.  You know…the impossible.  Blessings go with natural happenings, i.e., blessed with a promotion for your great work or money in savings because you managed it correctly.

So, are you asking God to do all the work? Or are you willing to do your part?
God loves to help.

In God’s Promises, Ann reminded us of the promises made to those who seek God….

Indeed, those who seek the Lord will never be forsaken; that is the promise of God to us.  He also said “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things shall be added unto You”…What is it to seek the Lord?  Seeking the Lord means seeking His presence…having access to Him.  The Bible repeatedly calls us to seek the Lord and to seek His presence continually.

Now set Your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.
1 Chronicles 22:19

God has made these promises to those who seek Him:
• Deuteronomy 4:29  But if from there You seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all Your heart and with all your soul.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14   If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
• Proverbs 8:17   I love those who love Me and those who seek Me find Me….
• Luke 11:9   So I say unto you, Ask and it will be given to you, seek you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

In Shelter In God, Tina encouraged us to remember that God is our Refuge and Shelter….

 Shelter 
1: a structure that covers or protects people or things
2: a place that provides food and protection for people or animals that need assistance
3: a place to live

Refuge  
1: shelter or protection from danger or trouble
2: a place that provides shelter or protection

For those who have grown up in a normal household, you probably have a healthy reality of what a home should be—calm, peaceful, neat, well-groomed…both inside and out. At least I thought this was so.  Growing up for me was not this way…  I learned life was not always fair. But God always provided a way.

I had choices to make: I could either live thinking about what had been taken away from me…or I could give them to God and know He would be faithful to restore them back to me.  So I made those choices, everyday, to live (and still do).  I do not always succeed but I do my best.  God is my Shelter and my Refuge.  He is the one I am learning to run to for all things. Not to others, but to God first.

You Do Not Forsake Us

SeekingHimLogo

The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed.
A stronghold in times of trouble;
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You.
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9-10

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Dear Lord, how blessed we are to be among those who know this Truth!  You have not…You will not…You cannot forsake Your seekers!  For You have promised!  You are so good  to us and we are so thankful.  May we not only hold to this promise but help us to encourage others to remember Your faithfulness and to put their trust in You.  We pray for those who are oppressed and in times of trouble…thank You for being their Stronghold (and ours, too!).  We love You and adore you!  And thank You in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Shelter in God

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The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know Your name trust in You,
for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9-10

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

 Shelter  –

1: a structure that covers or protects people or things
2: a place that provides food and protection for people or animals that need assistance
3: a place to live

Refuge  –

1: shelter or protection from danger or trouble
2: a place that provides shelter or protection

How wonderful is our God! He strives to be our Friend, our Provider, and our Refuge.  All we have to do is ask.  We may say that is easier said than done, but trust me, it can be.

For those who have grown up in a normal household, you probably have a healthy reality of what a home should be—calm, peaceful, neat, well-groomed…both inside and out. At least I thought this was so.

Growing up for me was not this way.  I started out pretty okay. My birth parents gave me up for adoption at an early age. My maternal aunt and uncle adopted me. They had just lost a child and knew that my mother was not able to care for me. So they raised me as best they could. I had clothes to wear, food to eat, went to school. But I always felt different.

They were able to have another child, a boy, and we grew up as brother and sister.   Dad set Mom up with a store when we moved to another city.  We lived in an old building with the store in the front and living space in the back.  It was our shelter, our refuge.  I learned life was not always fair. But God always provided a way.  I learned to forgive and know God gives people choices in their actions.  I learned guilt, shame, disgust and dread there. But I also learned about God’s provision. I learned God was always there. Every tear I cried, God cried. Every thing I did wrong, God was there shaking His head. Everything done to me, He cried and cheered when I forgave.

I was saved in a  little country Baptist church and was baptized.  I learned about Jesus and this truth:

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 KJV

I learned about Lottie Moon and Corrie Ten Boom and about missionaries.  I learned about performing with puppets; I sang in the choir and did 4-H things with school.  But I also learned what it was like to be excluded.  I was not exposed to drugs or went to parties where those things were.  God protected me although I did not always see it.

I had choices to make: I could either live thinking about what had been taken away from me…or I could give them to God and know He would be faithful to restore them back to me.  So I made those choices, everyday, to live (and still do).  I do not always succeed but I do my best.  God is my Shelter and my Refuge.  He is the one I am learning to run to for all things. Not to others, but to God first. If there is someone who can help in my situation, I would pray for God to point me in this person’s direction for help and guidance.

Beginning today, let us have a new attitude. Let us learn from our past. Let us choose to give it all to God.  Let us learn to live the life God has intended for us.  Let us pray for peace in our lives.  Let the Holy Spirit give us what we need to overcome any obstacle which presents itself as a roadblock. We can have happiness; though, at times, we may have to seek it more intentionally.

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Father, send Your Holy Spirit so we can see how Your light, Your provisions, Your grace and mercy is always present in our lives.  Teach us Your ways.  And show us how to be better followers of Jesus and selfless in how we are to walk.  Thank you for Your Word—your instruction manual for our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God’s Promises

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The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know Your name will trust in You
for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9-10

Indeed, those who seek the Lord will never be forsaken; that is the promise of God to us.  He also said “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things shall be added unto You”.  God is not a man that He can lie nor the son of man that He would change his mind.  What He says…He shall do it.  Especially to His very own.

What is it to seek the Lord?  Seeking the Lord means seeking His presence…having access to Him.  The Bible repeatedly calls us to seek the Lord and to seek His presence continually.

Now set Your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.
1 Chronicles 22:19

God has made these promises to those who seek Him:
• Deuteronomy 4:29  But if from there You seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all Your heart and with all your soul.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14   If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
• Proverbs 8:17   I love those who love Me and those who seek Me find Me….
• Luke 11:9   So I say unto you, Ask and it will be given to you, seek you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

In all things when we seek the Lord we may ask anything in Jesus’ name and He will do it (John 14:14).

And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones
who cry unto Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?
Luke 18:7

Let us seek the Lord where He may be found for the rewards are great. He promises and He will do it. He cannot lie.  I thank God for He has given us room to be found when we seek Him with all our hearts and souls.

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Father, we thank You for the wonderful Word at the right time.  Thank You for Your promises to Your chosen ones are YES and AMEN through Christ Jesus.  Thank You because You always stand by Your word and You perform it.  Your Word, dear Lord, does not go back to You the same.  As we seek You with all our hearts and souls in all areas of our lives, dear Lord, give us also the heart to wait to receive from You. We need grace to be patient in as much as we believe we have received whatsoever our hearts desired.  Forgive us of our unbelief in one way or the other. Be glorified always. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Blessings Are Better

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The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed.
A stronghold in times of trouble;
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You.
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9-10

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

“Why isn’t God helping me?”  {We feel like this sometimes, don’t we?}  “I mean, if God was helping me then I’d have food to eat, money to pay bills, a job, a happy marriage…” and the list goes on.  Truth be told, God never promised us rainbows and sunshine.  Jesus Himself said,

“… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33b

Not something you think you would be hearing from the Creator of the world.  Frankly, I don’t see why He couldn’t have said, “In this world you will have easy times.”  That sounds so much better; but that isn’t what He said. He warned us that things were going to come our way that were not going to be so pleasant in nature.

This doesn’t mean that we are meant to just lay down and take every trouble that comes our way.  God is a good God; by His nature, He cannot do bad things.  There are very logical reasons as to why some things happen.  If you don’t eat right and exercise, you are going to gain weight and that weight gain left unchecked can cause health problems.  God didn’t give you those health problems…this all started back when you decided not to make the right choices.  If you decide not to go to sleep on time at night and your work performance slips and you end up getting fired, God didn’t take your job from you, you chose to make poor decisions.  These examples have results—they are called “consequences.”

I believe that God can make anything right.  As long as we go to His Word, turn from our ways, and do things His way.  If we are willing to learn the better way, God will show us a better way.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.
And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:8

Here’s a thought: instead of asking God to give you money, why not ask Him to show you how to biblically manage your money so that you are better equipped to avoid money shortage situations.  Here’s another thought: instead of asking God for a better job, why not ask Him to show you how to appreciate the one you have.  My pastor told us that miracles are nice, but blessings are better.  At first I didn’t get it, but he explained that miracles go against natural happenings.  You know…the impossible.  Blessings go with natural happenings, i.e., blessed with a promotion for your great work or money in savings because you managed it correctly.

So, are you asking God to do all the work? Or are you willing to do your part?
God loves to help.

You Are My Refuge

SeekingHimLogo

The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed,
a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble
(high cost, destitution, and desperation).
And they who know Your name
[who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy]
will lean on and confidently put their trust in You,
for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of) You
[on the authority of God’s Word and the right of their necessity].
Psalms 9:9-10

You, oh Lord, are my refuge
You are holy and just
You are faithful and righteous
You, oh Lord, are my refuge
By Your mercy, You cover me

Under the shadow of Your wings
Lord, in Your presence I’ll remain
You are forevermore the same
You are my Refuge, my only Refuge

You, oh Lord, are my Refuge
In You I find rest
You’re my God and my Fortress
You, oh Lord are my Refuge
By Your mercy, You cover me

Under the shadow
Under the shadow
Under the shadow of Your wings
Under the shadow
Under the shadow
Under the shadow
By Your mercy You cover me

Cheryl Keaggy, singer/songwriter