The Christian’s Continual Calling

The Christians Continual Calling

 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come… Upon you have I leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you… May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually. Psalm 71

Continually; that which is repeated frequently, without interruption, constantly. What incredible use of the word throughout this psalm! The psalmist gives us three things throughout the course of this passage that we can, and should, be doing continually. Continually come to God our rock of refuge, continually praise our God Who saves, and continually hope in God regardless of our difficulties. Great depths of encouragement are found in these simple truths, as well as certain confidence to know we dwell in the presence of a God who does not tire of our coming to Him, and in fact bids us come continually.

Let’s consider what it means to be a Christian who continually comes, continually praises, and continually hopes.

1. Continually Come

‘Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come.’ (vs3)

Oh weary Christian, what a source of joy and strength this is to us! Are you heavy-laden with grief, pain, worry, sin, or uncertainty? God is your rock of refuge- a strong and sure place of safety amidst the storms and strains of life. Run to Him. Run to Him continually. Stay within the safety of His presence- and look to Him continually for the strength, forgiveness, and comfort you need. How often we are tempted to look other places for refuge, strength and safety- our own wisdom, other’s opinions of us, distractions of food or entertainment, exercise or physical strength, self-pity or self-promotion. Although we may find temporary satisfaction in some of these places, only God can provide lasting continual refuge.

May we be Christians who continually run to God our Rock of Refuge as our first and ongoing source of strength in times of need.

2. Continually Praise

‘My praise is continually of you.’ (vs 6)

The psalmist here recounts God’s protection and provision in his life, and then proceeds to praise God. Praising God is one sure way of taking our minds and focus off ourselves and our struggles, discouragements, selfishness or pride- and setting our mind on God. Can you recount the provision of God in your life throughout this past day? Week? Year? Hour? Consider the works of God in Scripture, the miracles of Christ, the hand of God in the Old Testament stories, the wonder of creation around us, and recount God’s provision and blessing in your own life over the years.

Take a moment to praise Him for all He has done and Who He is- and then keep going! Praise Him continually.

3. Continually Hope

‘But I will hope continually’ (vs 14)

Hopelessness defines so many in this day and age, and how easy it is to turn our eyes away from God and end up in a place of despair and hopelessness as we gaze at the problems and struggles around (and within) us, instead of on the God of hope. We have so much around us, yet so many are still searching for hope and purpose. Dear Christian, if you’re struggling to find hope, rest assured that God IS your hope- and your hope is sure in Him. Continually. Be confident to set your hope on God, and then continually call to mind the hope you have and the God you serve. We are a people of hope- because we serve the God of hope. ‘Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.’ Psalm 43:5

Dear friend, as we continually come to God we will find ourselves knowing Him more- which will result in us praising Him continually. As we know God more and praise Him continually, we will find our hope secure in Him, and our life will be anchored securely to the God of all comfort. Continually.



Strength in the Storms of Life (By Jessica Kriss)

Strength in the Storms of Life

“[The] wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).

Does your life ever feel like you are in the middle of a storm? Sometimes it might build slowly and you see it coming, other times it hits you ferociously without any warning! Heartache, sickness, disappointment, unfulfilled expectations, hurt, disillusionment, suffering, relationship issues, work difficulties, uncertainty over the future. Sometimes the storm seems to rage around us so fiercely that we cannot see the path ahead.

Christian, there is good news! As a child of God your life is founded on THE rock – the Lord Jesus Christ. So no matter the storm raging around you, the foundation is secure and He WILL hold you fast. The question really is, how do we trust the reality of this solid foundation when it feels like the storm is going to destroy us? I’m sure there are many applications from this verse, but here are three that I’ve discovered in the storms of my own life.

1. Focus on the Foundation, not the storm.

If you are a Christian, your life IS founded on the rock, there is no question about it. This rock is Jesus Christ, and He will be your comfort and protection in the storm. Yes, the storm is big, and uncertain, and overwhelming when you focus on it, but as you look into the face of Jesus you will find Him “bigger” and mightier than the storms that you are facing. David in the Psalms, who continually faces the storms of life, responds by crying out to God, and he finds Him faithful to deliver him every time. When the storms of life are raging, be like David, run to God, cry out to Him, and search His Word for truths of who He is.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1).

2. Build on your Foundation with Gospel truths

Your life is founded on Christ, and yet we are commanded to develop and mature our faith and build upon this sure foundation. Gospel truths reinforce our building as we face the storms of life. The light of the gospel shines forth in the darkness of every storm, bringing comfort and truth as we look deeper into it. So take time to consider Christ, His love, His sacrifice, His care, His justice, His redemption. Mediate on the gospel and allow the glory of this truth to bring light to your darkest storm.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

3. Trust the Builders Words, not your feelings

The storms of life bring with them the opportunity for our emotions to run wild! Feelings can lead us quickly away from trusting the Rock our lives are built upon, even convincing us that we might not be secure in our life with Christ. Oh what a time to dive into the Word of God and allow the truth of it to inform our emotions, and not let them take control! Fear, anger, hurt, guilt, pain, worry, hate, frustration, anxiety, and so many more. We need to choose to trust God’s Word and allow it to inform, shape, and rule our emotions. And when emotions and feelings are heightened in the midst of a storm, how important to make sure we are bringing them under the authority of God and His Word, and thereby honoring Him with our responses. After all, God created us with emotions and feelings, and they can (and should) be used for His glory.

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Psalm 119:92).

The storms will come; that is never in question. If you are a Christian, then your life IS founded on the solid Rock. Don’t let your emotions convince you otherwise. Choose to look to the Rock of your salvation in the storms of life, lean into gospel truths, and praise God in the midst of it all. He is faithful.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because the Lord is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8).

 

By Jessica Kriss.

Guest Contributor, Glorious Gospel Ministries, February 25, 2023.
 


Hope in God

The restless nights, the tear-filled eyes;

The soul in anguish, the cloudy skies.

A weary body, a fragile mind;

Worrisome thoughts, and hope declined.

 

A mist of doubt and fear arise;

Obscuring light and God’s sunrise.

Where once I bathed in help divine,

A deafness to my prayers I find

 

No strength I gain from stained-glass towers,

Birds are hushed, and bloomless flowers.

The world I view is monochrome,

Depression comes and makes its home.

 

Can confidence and hope emerge,

Where pain and worry do converge?

Is there buoyancy in tempest tossed,

A lighthouse beam for one who’s lost?

 

Depleted strength- no plan revealed;

My heart recalls a truth concealed-

A God who stills the raging sea,

Delights to save and set me free.

 

From my dark and cheerless place,

I call for intervening grace.

He lifts me from the waves below,

To heights of joy I did not know

 

He leads me to the waters still;

My soul restored – His perfect will.

All failure, fear and worry cease,

And in His presence perfect peace

 

My anxious soul has found its rest;

All waywardness and sin confessed.

A joy-filled path through valley deep,

A God of hope- my soul will keep.

 



The Holy Cure

When mentors fail, and winds prevail;

When worlds collide, and foes assail;

When pressure mounts without retreat;

When crushed like harvest grains of wheat;

 

Fall on your knees for only there

Is found a hope beyond the care.

Lift up your voice in prayer and praise,

Your spirit stirred, your heart ablaze.

Resist the urge to fight alone;

Dependence comes before the throne.

The holy cure in great despair-

Found only in a time of prayer.

 

When tribulation makes its mark;

When mountains rise, and valleys dark;

When gospel-truths seem out of reach;

When friendly words are but a speech;

 

Fall on your knees for only there

Is found a hope beyond the care.

Lift up your voice in prayer and praise,

Your spirit stirred, your heart ablaze.

Resist the urge to fight alone;

Dependence comes before the throne.

The holy cure in great despair-

Found only in a time of prayer.

 

When heart and soul is wrenched by sin;

When Satan lurks with evil grin;

When loss is felt like Job of old;

When conflicts, fights are unresolved

 

Fall on your knees for only there

Is found a hope beyond the care.

Lift up your voice in prayer and praise,

Your spirit stirred, your heart ablaze.

Resist the urge to fight alone;

Dependence comes before the throne.

The holy cure in great despair-

Found only in a time of prayer.

 

When service for Christ becomes a chore;

When Scripture’s dull and quite a bore;

When church has lost all sense of worth;

When hymns of praise are void of mirth;

 

Fall on your knees for only there

Is found a hope beyond the care.

Lift up your voice in prayer and praise,

Your spirit stirred, your heart ablaze.

Resist the urge to fight alone;

Dependence comes before the throne.

The holy cure in great despair-

Found only in a time of prayer.



The Wastelands of Discouragement

The beauty of the meadows fair

Replaced by barren deserts bare.

Eden’s lush and fruitful land

Exchanged for rocks and scorching sand.

 

The Scriptures read, the prayers are prayed;

The nights are cold- the soul dismayed.

The howling wolves; the bitter thirst;

Sojourning through a land accursed.

 

En Gedi’s springs cannot be found;

Pilgrim’s corpses all around.

Sinai’s burning bush concealed;

Canaan’s path is unrevealed.

 

All strength is sapped, no fight is left;

The spirit crushed, the soul bereft.

Abandoned, lost, and heart forlorn;

My friends-  the brier and the thorn.

 

Waterless dunes and arid planes;

The sandy storms and hurricanes.

These all attempt to overthrow

The truth within my soul I know.

 

Like Jesus from the Jordan led,

By Spirit to the tempter’s dread.

Though hungered, weary and deprived,

Strength to fight from God derived.

 

O weary desert trav’ller see;

Beyond Elijah’s juniper tree.

A rigid hope that stands secure-

The cross, the grave, the double-cure.

 

The wastelands of discouragement,

Fought by gospel armament.

Only by God’s truth applied,

Are desert seasons sanctified.

 

~ By Daniel Kriss, June 27, 2018

(Dealing with Discouragement)



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