Bullies & Refuge

I didn’t understand why my outdoor cat didn’t want to sleep in the garage. Then when she did, she would climb up on to the very top of a spare sofa and wouldn’t sleep in any other section of the garage. I would leave the garage door slightly open so that she would have the freedom to enter and leave during the night. Come to find out that this was not a good idea. I also noticed that her food dish was always empty and the water dish was almost always turned upside down. Finally, one night, I entered the garage and to my dismay there were raccoons running out of the garage. Also, my Sassy cat, who is a large cat, had bruises and scratch marks on her.

I was frustrated that these raccoons would bully my cat. Four raccoons to one cat was not fair. Well, I made sure the garage door was closed, the water and food were provided. However, Sassy is an outdoor cat. So I would leave food and water during the day when the raccoons were in hiding. But this was not the case. These raccoons were attracted to the food like moths to a candle. Once again, Sassy was not able to stand her ground. Who could stand for her? Who could guard her? Who could protect her? One day, as I arrived home from church and was turning toward the garage, I spotted the four bandits in their burglar mask. Next to garage was my poor cat recovering from another trouncing. Well, I came out of the car and chase the banditos. These raccoons were running for their lives. They didn’t realize that an old man with a Bible, and with a mission could run so fast. One ran to the neighbors and kept on going into the sunset. Another ran down the road drains, and kept on running until they saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Another climbed up a tree and was shaking for their dear life as they were left behind. And the other was part of the secret rapture.

Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever been pushed around, and made to feel insecure? You look for help. You look for someone who will come to your rescue. You look for someone who will fight for you. You look for someone who will stand against the bullies of your life. We have a bully today. His name is Satan. He likes picking on the weak and defenseless. The Bible says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8

However, I want you to know that we have a big brother, a protector, one who comes to our rescue when we call upon His wonderful name. The Bible says in Psalms 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. TheLord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

God is there for us. When we feel defenseless. When we feel that events are out of our control. When we feel like the troubles of life will overwhelm us, we have a Savior who will come to our defense, and provide refuge. Here are some words of encouragement.

“So we may resist temptation, and force Satan to depart from us. Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.’ James 4:7, 8. We cannot save ourselves from the tempter’s power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but ‘the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’ Proverbs 18:10. Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name. “ Desire of Ages p.130

As we worship our Savior this Sabbath, let us remember that we can find refuge and security in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor