OUR PLACE OF QUIET RETREAT By Lakan Mariano LORD, You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for Your Word to renew me. Psalm 119:114, MSG The tree-lined pathway follows the soft curves of the Concho River. About midway through, facing the river is a bench that is shaded by two large trees, their thick foliage providing a canopy. Behind is a large grassy area on gentle slopes separating the pathway from the main buildings of the Christ the King Retreat Center. From time to time, over the years, I would make my way to Bell Street then turn east to Van Zandt Street and there in the midst of all the houses and the businesses and the Goodfellow Air Force Base nearby is this little oasis. There I would take leisurely walks with the Lord, stopping and sitting at times on the banks, taking in the beauty of the quiet surroundings, spending time in Gods Word, praying, soaking in the presence of the Lord. While I still treasure my times at this place, and while I still love to go up to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, I am learning that my place of retreat is not so much a place, but a Person. That I can find peace and quiet in the midst of turmoil when my heart is settled and at peace with Christ. No one would ever imagine a blazing furnace as a place where you take leisurely walks. Our tendency, rightly so, is to jump out quickly. But the three Hebrew young men--Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah--who refused to compromise their faith for their safety, did just that not because they were great men but because of Who was with them. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire? They replied, Certainly, Your Majesty. He said, Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (Daniel 3:24-25). They were walking around in the fire because of the fourth Person whose presence gave them safety and peace. Right in the midst of the blazing furnace! The king had to summon them out before they came out (v. 26). King David did not look much like a king as he fled for his life from his own son Absalom. Many rooted for his defeat. Instead of encouragement he was treated to harsh and cutting words: LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, God will not deliver him (Psalm 3:1). But from early on in his childhood he had learned the trustworthiness of his God. David understood that the God who enabled him to kill the lion and the bear who threatened his flock was the same God who would give him victory over Goliath. David said, The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Samuel 17:37). So, driven from his kingdom, pursued by his own son, jeered by many, David said, But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me (Psalm 3:3-5). For believers, the Lord Jesus Christ is our shield. He is our glory. He is the One who lifts up our heads when all our troubles are weighing us down. Like David, we have the confidence that our prayers are heard. The Lord knows what is going on in our lives. And He cares about us. Trials and hardships may try to rob us of sleep but the Lord settles our hearts, gives us peace. And precious sleep. The Lord encourages us, Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (Philippians 4:6-7, MSG). We do not have to look for a place of retreat. We simply run to Jesus.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:55:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015