My soul take refuge; in God

                                                             Psalm 57:1-11

June 15, 2022

 

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.  I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.  He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!  My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.  Be exalted, O God, above the heaven  Let your glory be over all the earth!  They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory!  Awake, O harp and lyre!  I will awake the dawn!   I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.   “For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!   Let your glory be over all the earth!

 

David, while hiding in the cave, and Saul and his army looked for him and his men.  My story is now, I’m not in a cave, I have great doctors, I wore a catheter for four months, and am doing as David asking for mercy for my soul is taking refuge in the shadow of my Father's wings.  I was told I should have died at least three times, but the Most High God it seems desires me to fulfill His purpose in and through me.

 

God has brought me through some amazing battles, many thought I would be on Oxygen for the rest of my life, but God, and that was not part of His plan, it seems.  I dropped in weight from 160 to 126.6 lbs.  I was too weak to get out of bed and had to have wonderful nurses and many knew the Lord put me in a wheelchair.  But now I’m walking and without oxygen and have had my catheter removed two nights ago.  I also got off steroids in the last week, and one of my blood pressure medicines has been reduced, which may be why my feet and ankles are swelling.  

 

The last two nights I’ve had a hard time sleeping, it seems as if I can’t urinate without standing or sitting for a long time, but I have cried out to the Lord and He has been there for me.  I am not sure why I’m feeling as if I cannot breathe, yet my oxygen levels are 91-93, and my pulse rate or 74-75.  

 

I often feel like David, when he states; in 3b “God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!”  Over and over I’ve experienced His love, it has often come from one of you an encouraging word or an act of kindness.  But often it is just a “But God” moment where I am living out His love and kindness.  

 

Once more using David’s words in Psalm 57:9a “ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples.” And in closing shall we look at verse 11, “For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!   Let your glory be over all the earth!”

 

It has been a long battle often I’ve cried out in despair Lord where are you, I need to know that you are walking with me through this shadow of death, for my trust is in you alone.  The battle began on January 26 and is still going, with many victories and some disappointment but God has been there, for He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me.

 

I am very aware that the lions that surround me or from the enemy who hates me, Jesus said this about him in John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  

 

It is a wonderful life, I had many blessings, been able to mentor many young men, teach young couples, and watch many of my friends come to know Christ in a personal way.  Jan and I have had 56 years of life together, it has not always been easy, but she is the love of my life, and together we watched our daughter and son-in-law raise two young warriors who love the Lord and follow His word.  Yes, we have been blessed and His steadfast love and faithfulness have never left us.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice