Tag: 2 Samuel 23:3

My Refuge

On August 26, 2024

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psa 91:2)

How I love the Book of Psalms! I have to admit that this book is one of my favorites because it has brought me much comfort during trial and tribulation. It’s as though God knew His children would need uplifting and encouragement.

In today’s reading, I noticed that David began with stating “I will say of the LORD.” I believe David didn’t plan on keeping this information to himself; he was affirming that he was going to tell others about what God was doing for him. He was bragging on his Lord and was going to spread the joy. Do we brag on the Lord? Do we share the blessings God has bestowed upon us with those around us? It’s one thing to share a blessing during testimony time in church but it’s quite different to share what God has done for you with an unsaved person.

This is especially true when we are experiencing trials in our lives and the Lord has brought us through them. Sharing our experience with other believers serves to strengthen them in the Lord. Sharing our experience with the unsaved world shows them that we are sheltered and protected by our Heavenly Father and He sees us through difficult times. Speaking of God’s goodness is a testimony to others of His love and power.

David goes on to say that the Lord is his refuge and fortress. We all have a picture in our minds eye depicting what a refuge and fortress is. Oh my friend, doesn’t that just excite the spirit within you? Your Heavenly Father provides a refuge which shelters and protects you from danger, distress or calamity, and the enemy!

When I think of a refuge and fortress, I think of Christ’s teaching about building our house upon a rock. I believe David built his spiritual house upon this rock through his faith in his God. His rock was God. There are countless Scriptures which show God as the rock. One that I love is, For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? (2 Sam 22:32) David knew this rock intimately because he ran to this rock, his refuge and fortress, in time of need. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psa 61:2)

When I was first saved, I remember reading, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4) Christ is our Rock!! I noticed that the word rock was capitalized. So I did a word search in my e-Sword for the word rock to see if rock was capitalized anywhere else! At this point, I almost came unglued! Here are the verses for you! Be ready to be blessed as you see verses depicting our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deut. 32:4)

But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. (Deut. 32:15)

Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. (Deut. 32:18 )

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? (Deut. 32:30)

For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. (Deut. 32:31)

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. (2 Sam. 23:3) (Christ speaking to the Father!!)

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4)

A simple word search revealed that the word rock appears 119 times in 109 verses. Out of the 119 occurrences, it is capitalized seven times! Seven is God’s number for perfection! There is no other firm and solid place to go to in order to find refuge. Christ is our perfect gift and the Jews’ spotless Lamb and sacrifice. Christ is revealed throughout the Bible in total perfection! Rejoice, oh my soul! What lovely nuggets You have given to me this morning, Lord!! What better refuge and fortress can be provided than by the Rock of our salvation, the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Who wants a flimsy refuge in the midst of a storm? It would be like hiding under lean-to on the beach when a hurricane is coming through, right? No one wants that. However, we have no need to worry because God is our refuge and in the midst of any storm, we can safely hide in Him!

Dear God…
I never cease to be amazed
At the peace Your Word provides
I run to my Rock and refuge
In Your fortress there I hide

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus – Day 25

By Kate Plourde

On October 7, 2022

In Devotionals, Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus

It’s a new day and in my brain comes thoughts of Christ’s return to Rapture His Church! Who belongs to His church, you ask? All born-again believers from the time of Jesus’ resurrection to the day of Rapture will be included. I’m not talking about people who claim to be saved but live like the devil. I’m talking about people who actually repented of their old life and have lived for the Lord! (2Corinthians 5:17) I look forward to the Rapture every single day. Why every day? Have you looked around you and thought that the world has literally turned upside down? I look around and see people calling the killing of babies in the womb “good for women”; even up to when they come out of the birth canal 😥 I see “scientists” actually saying there are more than two sexes and cannot define what is a woman! I see church members fighting amongst themselves over social issues. My heart breaks but I know in my heart that God’s Word is always true and He said this would happen. (2Samuel 7:28, Psalm 119:160, John 17:17 and many more) Therefore, that is why I believe with all my heart that the time is here for the Tribulation to begin. (2Timothy 3:1-7) It cannot begin however, until the Rapture has occurred. This is why I think of the Rapture every single day! 😀 These times were prophesied in Isaiah and Jesus spoke of it as well.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Today’s prophecy of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, is about Him being the Rock. However, to top it off, Samuel also mentions that the Messiah would be the “light.” Do you recall the Scriptures where Jesus taught about building a house on a rock or sand? Jesus said that the person who builds his spiritual life upon a rock, his house would not fall because it was built upon a rock. Because our faith and salvation are based on the Rock, we are solid and safe in Him. You can read more about the Lord being called a rock in: Deuteronomy 32:15, 2Samuel 22:47, 2Samuel 23:3, Psalm 62:7, Psalm 89:26, Psalm 94:22, Psalm 95:1, and Isaiah 17:10. It is no coincidence, friend.

Prophecy of Messiah:
2 Samuel 23:2-4 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. (3) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. (4) And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

Notice that the God of Israel was spoken to by the Rock of Israel! If you’re Jewish, this verse should cause you to wonder who in the world is speaking to God!

Jesus is the Rock that is prophesied. The Apostle Paul makes it clear below; as plain as the nose on your face. The Rock is Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Saviour of mankind! This same Jesus sheds His light upon our hearts and leads us to Him through His Word.

Prophecy of Messiah Fulfilled:
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Don’t walk in darkness, Reader. Please, I beg of you, to make sure that you know Him today. Allow the beautiful light of the Gospel of Christ shine in your hearts; let it shine upon your sins so that you can seek forgiveness, repent (2Corinthians 5:17) and be saved through salvation in Jesus Christ. He will forgive your sins and will lead you to the truth and knowledge in His Word.

Do you know Him personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!