Run to Christ

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The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Scripture holds many names for the Lord, but the one that I immediately thought of as I read this verse was this: Faithful and True. This is the name John recorded when he saw heaven opened to him and Christ in His majesty.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)

In a culture where inconsistency and error are prominent, the Lord provides a place of refuge for His own. Even His very name impresses upon us the inherent qualities that are part of His nature, that of faithfulness and truth. His whole character is that, for He cannot go against His nature. He is not just faithful and true in His actions and word; He is Faithfulness and Truth itself.

The Lord provides a tower, a strong tower for us: one that cannot be taken or destroyed by enemies. We are completely and utterly safe there, because He is our protection. “Here is God’s sufficiency for the saints: His name is a strong tower for them, in which they may take rest when they are weary and take sanctuary when they are pursued, where they may be lifted up above their enemies and fortified against them…The strength of this tower is enough to protect them; the name of the Lord is all that whereby he has made himself known as God, and our God, not only his titles and attributes, but his covenant and all the promises of it; these make up a tower, a strong tower, impenetrable, impregnable, for all God’s people.” (Matthew Henry) Safety is of the Lord, and not only does He provide perfect protection, but He also provides Himself as the strong tower.

It is the righteous that run to it for shelter. The enemy advances upon it seeking to destroy it, but the saints seek it out for comfort, healing, and refreshment. The weak are strengthened. The discouraged are renewed in spirit. The broken are healed, and the just ones rise up yet again. This strong tower imparts a security that is never uncertain. We reach that security through prayer and through the Word of God. When we meet with Him and commune in His presence, He is there to renew our spirit and provide us with His sufficient grace.

You will not find this type of security or comfort in men, nor in anything the world has to offer. Only by fleeing to the one Faithful and True—to His strong tower—will you be fortified against the father of lies; against the fiery darts of the wicked; and against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness which pervades our old nature and the rest of society.

“Here is the saints’ security in God. It is a strong tower to those who know how to make use of it as such. The righteous, by faith and prayer, devotion towards God and dependence on him, run into it, as their city of refuge. Having made sure their interest in God’s name, they take the comfort and benefit of it; they go out of themselves, retire from the world, live above, dwell in God and God in them, and so they are safe, they think themselves so, and they shall find themselves so.” (Matthew Henry) 

Run to the Rock, your Cornerstone, to find safety. There is no shame in seeking security and refuge from the God of all comforts. He gives freely of His peace and provides repose from all trials.

                The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27a)

                The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

The Lord’s tower cannot be shaken. He will never be moved, and His children are secure in Him.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy hield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt though trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

~Psalm 91~

Song: I Run to Christ

In Him,

Kaleigh

Wisdom

For the Lord giveth wisdom:

out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

     What is wisdom? Dictionary.com defines it as" knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment", and one of my college textbooks says wisdom is "insight into the practical problems of life". While those definitions may describe parts of wisdom, Scripture provides the ultimate basis for it. After all, if God is the one who created what is true and right, and if He is the one who created all life, should He not be able to provide perfect knowledge and insight into everything? 

     The book of Proverbs has long been known as the book of wisdom. A book I have read through many times, Proverbs is continually a source of guidance--of wisdom--for any who read it. And so, with the help of my Bible's section titles, I will attempt to share with you some of the characteristics of wisdom. 

     Wisdom is...

Precious. There is no value to wisdom, because it's beyond value. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (Proverbs 3:14-15) More precious than silver, gold, rubies, and everything else in the world. Nothing compares to it. Proverbs 3 goes on to say that wisdom provides long life, riches and honor, blessing, grace, safety, and peace. It is a tree of life to any who lay hold of it. 

Truth. Wisdom tells the truth. It doesn't hide evil, nor does it flatter good. It simply speaks what is true. It is righteous and it gives understanding to those who seek it. Wisdom says "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." (Proverbs 8: 5-6, 9-11) Wisdom divides truth from foolishness, and it leads in the way of righteousness. 

Understanding. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. (Proverbs 9:6) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wise: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (Proverbs 9:9) Accept wisdom and it will add understanding to knowledge, and learning to instruction. It will guide you when the way is littered with confusion. Wisdom's path leads to everlasting life.

Generous. Wisdom is offered to all and every kind of people. It doesn't hold back, and it desires that everyone should obtain it. Proverbs 1 describes the desire of wisdom: that we would not refuse it or turn from it, but that we should embrace it and walk in the way of the living! Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. (Proverbs 4:5-6) The lips of the wise disperse knowledge... (Proverbs 15:7) The wise will desire to instruct others in what they have learned. That desire is often an intense one. One that is passionate about sharing what good and bad they have learned in hopes that others will accept that wisdom and learn from it, avoiding the evil and embracing the good. 

The fear of the Lord. Without the fear of the Lord, only worldly knowledge exists. The fear of the Lord is what guides us in righteousness, teaches us to walk in truth, and keeps us on the narrow path. He is the one who gives us wisdom in the first place. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: the the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord, but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. (Proverbs 14:2) The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27) The fear of the Lord is what will preserve your life. Without wisdom, you will be lead to your destruction. 

     The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom. (Proverbs 15:33)

     Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. (Proverbs 4:5-8)

     Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her for she is thy life. (Proverbs 4:13)

Wisdom comes with blessing: it gives life and preserves from death; it promotes and exalts one to honor; it protects from danger; and it provides a place of refuge for those who rest in the fear of the Lord. 

     In the fear of the Lord is a strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. (Proverbs 14:26) 

Blessings, 

Kaleigh

Happy birthday, Anna!

Dear Anna,

Happy 21^st birthday! I was trying to think of something exciting that would be happening since you turned the magic age of 21, but there wasn’t anything especially impressive…in terms of legal matters, anyway. 

However, you are now one year closer to a few things. Actually, a lot of things, but I could never list them all.

You are one year closer to finding complete satisfaction in Christ alone. You may have family, friends, food, and shelter, but only in Christ can your longings and desires be fully satisfied. Your satisfaction rests in His atonement and in knowing that His plans for you are better and more sanctifying than your own. Your satisfaction has a sure foundation if it is based on Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone—for He alone satisfied the greatest requirement for sin.

You are one year closer to finding everlasting joy in Christ alone. As you have sought and will continue to seek happiness in life, your true joy will remain in the Giver of Joy. The circumstances around you will fluctuate, but He who is constant, never refuses joy to those who walk in His Word. Joy comes from abiding in Him and in His Word—taking in Scripture and clinging to it when all else is gone. Because when everything is stripped away, you will see where your heart lies. If it is with Christ, then your joy is complete, for you need no other because the joy of the Lord is your strength.

You are one year closer to finding eternal hope in Christ alone.  We hope for so much, and sometimes it is difficult to hold on when all seems hopeless. To give up would be easier, but our God is not a God of hopelessness, but a God of hope who desires to fill us with all joy and peace. (Romans 15:13) It is His intention that you hold on, that you look to the One who was, is, and will be faithful, and who can refresh your hope when it is fading. Hope is an action (despite what dictionaries might tell you). It’s active, and you have to keep pursing it; but you’re not pursing the concept of hope, no, you’re pursing the Person, and His well of hope never runs dry.

You are one year closer to finding lasting peace in Christ alone. Christ’s peace is not something you’ll find here. You won’t find it in a world filled with distraction, pain, and sin, but you can claim it and own it as yours even during all the confusion and hurt. If you search for peace here, you will not find it for it is found only in abiding in the knowledge that our God is the author of peace. His peace passes understanding, but you will understand a little more of what it is when you find it.

You are one year closer to finding enduring victory in Christ alone. In Genesis 3, God pronounces judgment on the serpent and foretells of his future demise. Victory was planned even before defeat occurred. God did not intend for you to wade through the Slough of Despond all your life. He has conquered sin—ALL sin. He has conquered everything evil, and it is subject to His command until He returns again when sin will be banished forever. We live in the world, but we are not of it. Our kingdom is a heavenly one—meaning we share in the privileges of it even before we get there. Temporary defeat may and likely will happen, but it is not permanent, for we serve the King who has conquered. A King who will reign with all power and authority; a King who holds the life of all creatures in His hand. And He it is who has provided enduring victory for us—because He chose to, because He loves us. 

May you know more fully the complete satisfaction, everlasting joy, eternal hope, lasting peace, and enduring victory of the Savior you serve, Anna. Complete, everlasting, eternal, lasting, and enduring: those words carry a ring of finality about them. And so it is fitting, for the One who created satisfaction, joy, hope, peace, and victory will have the final word at the consummation of the age. May you walk as a daughter of the King Who has already conquered, and may you be blessed as you seek Him and serve others.

Love in Christ,

Kaleigh 

The Fig Tree

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; 

the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; 

the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. 

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, 

and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

No blossoms on the tree. No grapes on the green vines. The olive crop fails, and the herds die. The sheep are scattered, and the stalls are empty. Emptiness, failure, and fruitlessness. A situation like this for a farmer would be grave indeed. Lack of produce, crops, and herds would lead to financial, physical, and mental stress. 

Surely it is the same with our lives. We feel, at times, the emptiness of our hearts, the failure of our strength, and the fruitlessness of our own efforts. The temptation to "just give up" plays with our will to keep going. To keep going amid the darkness, confusion, and failure. The sin that we know exists within our own heart seems too great to be conquered. 

But that's because we are just surviving on our own mental resources, will power, and strength. Our bodies and minds are finite; there is a point, when we have to stop, because we physically can't keep going any more. We can't produce any more, give out anything, or fill our beings. We're just done. 

And that's where Habakkuk found himself, too. He wrote during a time of judgment on the Israelites. A time of wickedness, fear, and calamity. A time when no hope was in view.  And so, he turns to the Lord, questioning the unholiness and ruin around him. In answer, Habakkuk is reminded of the Lord's power, holiness, and judgment, and in his fear and grief, he rejoices. 

Although...

The fig tree does not blossom. 
The vines produce no fruit. 
The labor of the olive plant fails. 
The fields yield no meat. 
The flock is separated from the fold.
The herds are not in the stalls. 

And yet...

He rejoices. 

He rejoices in a good God. He rejoices in a God who provided salvation once and for all. He rejoices in the joy of the Lord, for it is his strength. He rejoices in a God who uses weakness to show His strength. He rejoices in a God who "works through the most imperfect circumstances, and turns them into [Habakkuk's] good, and His glory". He rejoices not only in a God who chastises, but also in a God whose mercies are new every morning. 

And so can we. We serve the same God Habakkuk served. He has not changed, for He is the same "yesterday, today, and forever". His "faithfulness reaches the skies", and He's promised that our sins are as far removed as east is from west. Though He may afflict, He does not do so willingly, and though "weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning". He goes before us in all our ways, and He is with us. He has never failed any one of His chosen, and "this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." 

Though vine nor fig tree neither

Their wonted fruit should bear,

Though all the field should wither,

Nor flocks nor herd be there,

Yet God the same abiding,

His praise shall tune my voice;

For while in Him confiding,

I cannot but rejoice.

In this Habakkuk rejoiced. Will you, too, learn to rejoice in the midst of fear, pain, and confusion? If He never gives you in your lifetime what you desire most, will you still rejoice in His loving kindness? Habakkuk did. 

Psalm 30

I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

I Will Rejoice

Blessings,
Kaleigh