God
is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.. Psalm
41:6
Finding
Sanctuary in our Anxieties
There's
a lot of talking about sanctuary on television today. You can hear it
spoken of on practically every news cast. But are you aware how big a
sanctuary and refuge our God is? Are you struggling today with
something that seems too big to overcome? God's power to help us is
magnified in the working of all three Persons of the Godhead, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The
Psalmist writes that our God is a very present help in the time of
trouble. He in His all-knowing attribute doesn't miss one wit of
what we are currently going through. But why does God seem to
hesitate at times in answering our prayers? In the world there is an
evil presence in open and savage rebellion against God in Satan and
his angels. We are in a spiritual war, not battling physical beings
and obstacles but waging war with unseen evil against the cosmic
forces over this present darkness, spiritual dominions and
principalities, the rulers, against the spiritual forces of evil in
the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
In
the book of Daniel we read that as soon as Daniel prayed a prayer of
petition, God immediately dispatched the answer. But Satanic forces
fought for 21 days against letting the answer through (Daniel
10:12-13). Even though Satan's power was lessened when Jesus died
and rose from the dead he still remains a powerful foe of the
Christian believer.
How
can one feel the peace of God when lust hits or there are bills to be
paid and no money in the bank account or you're dealing with family
troubles or problems that seem impossible to solve? Enlarging your
view of God is a good first step. He is awesome in His might and
completely powerful to do all He purposes to do. Remember He heard
Daniel's prayer request and immediately dispatched an answer.
I
trust in God's sanctification. That is the state of growing in divine
grace. It is a daily maturity marked by a quiet and trusting spirit
in God and the promises in His Word. I read God's word daily. If you
are anxious or worried reading in the Psalms is a good place to start
concerning God's love, power and promises that are available in His
Son, Christ Jesus. We must remember too that the Holy Spirit
intercedes for us (Roman 8:26). When we take sanctuary or refuge in
God and rest in His ability to answer prayer we can rest in His
perfect will for our lives. One of the biggest helps for me, outside
of immersing myself daily in God's Word and prayer, is reaching out
to other believers for prayer and support. The Bible tells us to bear
one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Many people praying together is powerful and knowing others know of
your struggle and are praying for you can be a great comfort.
Taking
sanctuary in the Living God brings consolation and hope. He has
opened that door of rest and refuge for you. All you need do is walk
through and lay your burdens in His hands trusting in His mercy and
His awesome power. He knows what you need even before you ask
(Matthew 6:8). You can lay all your burdens and anxieties on Him
because He cares for you (1st Peter 5:7). May you be
refreshed, encouraged and strengthened in Christ in your life today
as you find sanctuary through the God of the impossible.
Ken
