April 15, 2020: SOAP #3786:  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 9:7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Observation:  God is HOLY, He is the only true judge; He will judge in righteousness and justice.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, so all are guilty before His court.  No one has a chance of coming out of His court being declared innocent, BUT, BUT, BUT there is another side of God’s character.  He is LOVING!  He is perfect LOVE!  In being perfectly HOLY, God looks at me and says you are guilty and cannot come into my presence!  In perfect LOVE, He sends His Holy Son to die in my place as payment for my sin!  Upon my confession and acknowledgement of Jesus as my Lord, God accepts the payment Jesus made on the cross as the payment for my sins!!!  It is amazing!  On that basis alone, I am declared innocent!

Application:  There is no trouble in all the world worse than being under the judgment of the HOLY GOD!  There is ONLY ONE WAY I can escape the judgment for sin.  That is to run to the REFUGE!  Jesus has not given me a Refuge; HE IS MY REFUGE!!!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are my REFUGE!  You do not send me to a place of refuge, you receive me to yourself.  You make me to be your dwelling place.  I find refuge in your presence!  There is no refuge apart from you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!