The refuge
Saints of God, as you journey through this dark world you must keep in the way of holiness. That is, discipline yourself in the word of God, allowing the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to conform you into the image of Christ. The road of wickedness is very broad and is traveled by many, but you did not learn of Christ this way, for He is gentle and lowly, always seeking to do the will of His Father Who is in heaven. Therefore, no longer walk in the futility of your mind as in the days of your ignorance, but rather, fix your mind upon Christ. Equip yourself with truth and leave no room for the enemy to get a foothold in your life, less you run the race and then at the end be disqualified. The scriptures tell you, “Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” I beseech you again, abandon all wickedness or anything that does not bring glory to God, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door and He sees all the intentions of your heart. Therefore, have the same attitude as Nehemiah. When he was laboring to prevail over the enemies who were trying to stop the work of God, he said, “We prayed to our God, and because of them, we set up a guard against them day and night.” You see, they labored diligently with a trowel in one hand building the wall, and a sword in the other ready for battle. You also must be a soldier of valor gird with the truth of God’s word with an unsheathed sword ready to deflect the fiery arrows of temptation. Remember the Lord is holy. So when you come to Him in holy prayer, do not come to him full of pride, but rather with a heart of humility. Understand that even your most sincere prayers are in need of holy repentance. The Prophet Isaiah cried out himself, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” It was then the Lord spoke to him concerning the sins of the nation, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” So then my friend, swing the door open to the narrow way where few dare to tread. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will be your guide, for He has traveled this road as well. He will guide you safely through the valley of the shadow of death into his eternal kingdom where you will be with Him forever. May God’s grace be with you.
“But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against
them day and night.”
Nehemiah 4:9 NASBS