On some days, I need to sit a long time on my Rock of Refuge. Sit quietly, listen, read, come to my Father. If I simply run past it, run ahead with my schedule, my work, my obligations … then my day becomes thirsty and hungry.

This morning, I needed to sit a long time. I needed quietness and comfort.

If you are at such a place also, let these Scriptures water your soul:

Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
    he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
    he will quiet you with his love,
    he will rejoice over you with singing.

Psalm 23:2,3a
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
    he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.

Isaiah 33:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
    the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

This chapter goes on to say that
my people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
    in secure homes,
    in undisturbed places of rest.
Though hail flattens the forest
    and the city is leveled completely,
how blessed you will be,
    sowing your seed by every stream,
    and letting your oxen and donkeys range free.

Isaiah 30:15
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust is your strength.

　

Take a closer look at the Zephaniah verse.

The LORD your God is with you,

That is enough. The LORD of the universe is with me.

God wants our friendship, our fellowship, our communion. And that is just amazing. He seeks us. He went to extreme measures to bring us back into a relationship with Him.

he is mighty to save.

And as He says so many other places in Scripture, He alone can save me. He alone can deliver me from the traps set for me, from the enemies of my soul. He can work for my good in everything. If He is for me, who can hold or harm me?

He will take great delight in you,

I am humbled. How is it that Almighty God takes delight in me?

Yet, He says it is true …

I am speechless.

he will quiet you with his love,

How can there be worry, fretting, noise, confusion, fear?

I am quieted.

He will rejoice over you with singing.

I have no idea what this means … other than …. God rejoices over me.

What? Makes me smile, though. To know that the LORD Almighty rejoices over me.

It looks like our Lord is all about comforting His people.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort …
2 Cor 1:3

I wait quietly before God,
   for my victory comes from him.
He is my refuge, a rock where no
   enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times.
   Pour out your heart to him,
   for God is our refuge.
from Psalm 62

Amen.