Psalms 94:22
The Lord is my defense … God is the rock of my refuge.
The greatest storms that I have ever had to endure...were storms that were man-made. Foolish folks love to hurt others…and even more so…they love to get involved in a slander and gossip that does not pertain to them. Somehow they get some kind of pleasure in watching others get tore down!
Once while I pastored this small country church, a group of disgruntled individuals raised up a committee of discontents to come out against me, and have me removed as their pastor. They went around recruiting other innocents to their purpose of division and slander. It was an incredibly unfortunate event.
Finally, after some time, they finally fell into the hole that they had so arduously spent digging for someone else. The whole ordeal culminated, when I had to report embezzlement by the financial oversight committee to other higher church authorities within the denomination. It was revealed that they were funneling money through the church bank account for a tax deduction…and then using those funds to purchase property with a title deed in their own names...not the church’s. It was a powerful storm. However, God rescued me from the situation. The key was to not allow myself to get emotionally involved in the dispute…not allow my feelings to be shown during my messages…nor in my conversations with individuals in the church and community. I simply continued to give encouraging and uplifting messages of hope and God’s faithfulness. Not only did God rescue me from this situation, but also gave me a promotion in the process.
Proverbs 11:9 & 12-13
“A hypocrite…seeks to tear down his neighbor …
A fool …hates his neighbor…
A slanderer …spreads false gossip about his neighbor…
The writer attributes three foolish actions to three foolish individuals. They are the hypocrite, the fool, and the slanderer. Their joint purpose is to do hurt, to despise, and to slander. They are capable of creating storms that can destroy the faith and love even between the closest of friends. They are enemies of all that is good in this world. Christ’ most vehement messages and warnings were spoken directly to hypocrites, since they spend their time trying to destroy the things that he had come to create. Some people busy themselves about nothing more than tearing others down. They get some kind of perverted joy at seeing the hurt of others, and are constantly interrupting the process of life, growth, and blessing. If you have ever attempted to do any good in this world over any extended period of time... I can just about guarantee you that you have encountered one of these storm-makers in the process.
Proverbs 11:9 & 12-13
The innocent is delivered through truth…
A man of understanding remains at peace…
The integrity of others is protected by faithful friends...
So just where is this refuge? The refuge is found in hiding ourselves in the power of the grace and mercy of a living God! No flood...no wave...no matter how strong and high...can break through the powerful wall of his love...nor hurt those who live under the protection of his mercy! Good always overcomes evil. Peace overcomes hate. Faithfulness overcomes slander. This is the truth...and this is our Refuge from the Storm.
Psalms 32:6
For this let every one that is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found: Surely when the great waters overflow they shall not reach him. You are my hiding-place; you will preserve me from trouble; You will compass me about with joyful shouts of deliverance!