THE REFUGE DEVOTIONAL

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,” Ephesians 5:15 NASBS

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I am writing this short devotion to you as a reminder to never forget that sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is to rule over you. You must understand that from the rising of the sun, to the dawning of a new day, you are at war with sin. The prince and the power of the air has placed traps and snares of subtle temptations in your pathway to make you stumble. He longs to steal your joy that comes through being obedient to God’s word. My friends, if you are not careful with every moment of your life, you will become subdued by the attractions of this world. They will ravage you and render you ineffective for a period of time in the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and discernment must be your guide in the deceitfulness of this wicked world, lest you yourself, fall captive to the tempter who wages war against your soul.

Oh, the besetting sins that besiege a man when he lays down the sword of truth and pulls off the helmet of salvation. It is then that he neglects to meditate upon Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfecter of his faith. He becomes like a wounded animal in a trap in the midst of a forest, becoming prey to all the predators who roam in that environment. Therefore, Christian, set your mind upon the heavenly Jerusalem, and fix your eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen and adhere to His word, for it is not a common word to you, indeed it is your life. The Psalmist said, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.” The Lord warned Joshua just before he led Israel into wicked Canaan,“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

So then Christian, “Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” Therefore beloved of God, cry out to Him in holy prayer, “Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders.” “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. ” May the Lord give you the strength not to be led away by the entrapments of lust, but to sustain you in all holiness until the day you shall see Jesus and touch the scars on His body, for they bear witness of His death and resurrection on your behalf.