THE GOD WHO

GIVES REFUGE

PSALM 31

Psalm 31:20In the shelter of your presence you hide them    from human plots;you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.

Business Signs:

Optometrist – “If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.”

Taxidermist – “We really know our stuff.” Butcher – “Let me meat your needs.” Muffler shop – “No appointment necessary. We’ll hear you coming.”

Garbage truck – “We’ve got what it takes to take what you’ve got.”

God – “I will not fix it until it’s broken.”

l. The Reality of Brokenness – To Need His Refuge

Psalm 31:12 (NIV)“I am forgotten as though I were

dead;     I have become like broken pottery.”

When things are broken in your life, you are in trouble:

1. There is an Outward ProblemProverbs 25:28 (CEV)

“Losing self-controlleaves you as helpless

     as a city without a wall.”Psalm 31:6,17“I hate those who cling to worthless idols;    as for me, I trust in the LORD.Let me not be put to shame, LORD,    for I have cried out to you;but let the wicked be put to shame    and be silent in the realm of the dead.

2. There is an Inward ProblemProverbs 15:13“A happy heart makes the face cheerful,  but heartache crushes the spirit.

3. There is an Upward ProblemProv. 25:19“A friend you can’t trust in times of trouble    is like having a toothache or a sore foot.”.

ll. The Reason for Brokenness – To Seek His RefugeRom. 8:28 ”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

2 Cor. 4:17 ”For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Someone has said:

“ Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply; before you can bless, you must bleed; before you can help, you must hurt.”

Oswald Chamber:

“ If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed – you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.”

There is a clear pattern in the Bible that teaches us that brokenness precedes greatness:

- Abraham- Jacob- Joseph- Job- Moses- Joshua- Samson- David- Daniel- Hosea- Peter- Paul

Watchman Nee:

“Our spirit is released according to the degree of our brokenness. The one who has accepted the most discipline is the one who can best serve. The more one is broken, the more sensitive he is.”

Oswald Chambers:

“When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, or a broken friendship, or a new friendship – when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.”

Jer. 18:4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Have thine own way, LordHave thine own wayThou art the potterI am the clayMold me and make meAfter thy willWhile I am waiting,Yielded and still.

lll. The Remedy for Brokenness – His Refuge

A. There must be a RelationshipPsalm 31:3,14“Since you are my rock and my fortress,…”“But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

B. There must be a Reliancevs. 1 – “In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;…”vs. 4 – “Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,     for you are my refuge.”

vs. 5 – “Into your hands I commit my spirit;…”vs. 6 – “I trust in the LORD.”vs. 14 – “But I trust in you, LORD;…”vs. 19 – “How abundant are the good things     that you have stored up for those who fear

you, that you bestow in the sight of all,     on those who take refuge in you.”vs. 22 – “Yet you heard my cry for mercy     when I called to you for help.”

1 Pet. 5:5,6 - “God opposes the proud but shows favor      to the humble.  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

C. There must be a Realization. 1. God Cares

vs. 7 – “I will be glad and rejoice in your love,     for you saw my affliction     and knew the anguish of my soul.

vs.9 – “Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress;…”vs.16 – “… save me in your unfailing love.”vs.19 – “How abundant are the good things

     that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all,

     on those who take refuge in you.”

2. God is in Controlvs. 15 – “My times are in your

hands;…”vs. 5 – “Into your hands I

commit my spirit;…”

3. God Canvs. 4 – “Keep me free from the trap that is set for

me, for you are my refuge.”    

D. There must be a Restvs.24 – “Be strong and take heart,     all you who hope in the LORD.”

THE GOD WHO GIVES REFUGE