Finding Refuge and Renewal in God's Presence

 

Summary

In Psalm 71:1-3, David expresses a profound trust in God, seeking Him as a refuge and strong habitation. This imagery of God as a rock and fortress is deeply rooted in David's experiences of hiding in the caves and rocky strongholds of his homeland during times of danger. These physical refuges left an indelible mark on David's memory, shaping his spiritual understanding of God as a place of safety and rest. David's poetic genius and deep spirituality allowed him to draw from these experiences, crafting psalms that have become central to worship across generations and languages.

David's desire was not just to dwell with God but to dwell in God, seeking an intimate and continual relationship with Him. This longing reflects a heart in harmony with God's truth and purity, contrasting with those who only seek God in times of trouble or on special occasions. David's relationship with God was one of constant communion, where he found delightful repose, peaceful security, and continual access.

God was David's home, a place of love, rest, and freedom. In God, David found a sanctuary from the harshness of the world, a place where he was loved and could be himself without fear of judgment. This relationship with God was not just about safety but also about intimate knowledge and tender care. David knew God as intimately as he knew the caves that had sheltered him, exploring the depths of God's attributes and finding joy and security in them.

David's continual resort to God was a source of strength, renewal, and praise. In every trial and triumph, David turned to God, finding in Him all that he needed. This access to God is a privilege available to all believers, offering a perpetual source of joy and comfort. In God, we find a refuge from the storms of life, a place where we are secure from all harm and can continually draw near for strength and renewal.

Key Takeaways:

- Intimacy with God: David's longing to dwell in God reflects a deep desire for intimacy and continual communion with the Divine. This relationship goes beyond seeking God in times of need; it is about making God the center of one's life, finding in Him a constant source of love and security. [06:39]

- God as a Refuge: Just as David found safety in the caves and rocks of his homeland, believers can find a secure refuge in God. This refuge is not just a place of safety but a source of strength and renewal, where we are protected from the storms of life and the attacks of the enemy. [22:12]

- Continual Access to God: The privilege of continual access to God is a source of immense joy and comfort. In every situation, whether in sickness, old age, or solitude, we can draw near to God, finding in Him all that we need for life and godliness. [30:23]

- God's Tender Care: In God, we find a place of tender care and intimate knowledge. Just as a home is a place of love and rest, so is our relationship with God, where we are known and loved deeply, and where we can be ourselves without fear of judgment. [19:47]

- Strength and Renewal in God: By continually resorting to God, we find strength for service, patience for suffering, and renewal for our weary souls. This continual coming to God is not a burden but a source of joy and spiritual wealth, where we are empowered to live out our faith with confidence and peace. [37:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Trust in God as a Refuge
- [00:51] - David's Experience in the Caves
- [02:27] - David's Poetic Genius
- [03:41] - God as a Rock of Habitation
- [05:05] - Intimacy with God
- [07:10] - Delightful Repose in God
- [09:57] - God's Tender Care
- [12:22] - Rest in God
- [21:55] - Peaceful Security in God
- [29:36] - Continual Resort to God
- [33:00] - Access to God in All Circumstances
- [37:42] - Strength and Renewal in God
- [41:35] - The Joy of Continual Prayer
- [46:34] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 71:1-3

#### Observation Questions
1. What imagery does David use in Psalm 71:1-3 to describe his relationship with God? How does this imagery reflect his personal experiences? [00:51]
2. How does the sermon describe David's desire to dwell in God rather than just with God? [04:18]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of David's continual access to God? [29:36]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God as a refuge and a place of safety for David? [23:49]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for David to see God as his "strong habitation"? How does this reflect his understanding of God's character? [07:10]
2. How does the sermon explain the difference between seeking God in times of need versus making God the center of one's life? [06:39]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that David's relationship with God was a source of strength and renewal? [37:42]
4. How does the sermon describe the privilege of continual access to God, and what implications does this have for believers today? [30:23]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you sought refuge in God during a difficult situation. How did that experience shape your understanding of God as a place of safety? [23:49]
2. David's relationship with God was marked by continual communion. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a similar intimacy with God in your daily life? [06:39]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making God the center of one's life. What are some distractions or obstacles that prevent you from doing this, and how can you address them? [06:39]
4. How can you make use of the privilege of continual access to God in your current circumstances, whether in times of joy or struggle? [30:23]
5. Consider the ways in which you experience God's tender care in your life. How can you become more aware of and grateful for these moments? [19:47]
6. The sermon speaks of finding strength and renewal in God. What specific areas of your life need renewal, and how can you seek God's strength in those areas? [37:42]
7. How can you create a habit of turning to God for strength and renewal, especially during times of weariness or challenge? [37:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy with God
David's longing to dwell in God reflects a deep desire for intimacy and continual communion with the Divine. This relationship goes beyond seeking God in times of need; it is about making God the center of one's life, finding in Him a constant source of love and security. David's life exemplifies a heart in harmony with God's truth and purity, contrasting with those who only seek God in times of trouble or on special occasions. His relationship with God was one of constant communion, where he found delightful repose, peaceful security, and continual access. This intimacy is available to all believers, inviting them to experience a life where God is not just a refuge but a home. [06:39]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: What daily practice can you incorporate to deepen your intimacy with God, making Him the center of your life rather than just a refuge in times of need?


Day 2: God as a Refuge
Just as David found safety in the caves and rocks of his homeland, believers can find a secure refuge in God. This refuge is not just a place of safety but a source of strength and renewal, where we are protected from the storms of life and the attacks of the enemy. David's experiences of hiding in physical refuges left an indelible mark on his memory, shaping his spiritual understanding of God as a place of safety and rest. In God, we find a sanctuary from the harshness of the world, a place where we are loved and can be ourselves without fear of judgment. [22:12]

Isaiah 25:4 (ESV): "For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall."

Reflection: Identify a current storm in your life. How can you actively seek refuge in God today, trusting Him to be your strength and renewal?


Day 3: Continual Access to God
The privilege of continual access to God is a source of immense joy and comfort. In every situation, whether in sickness, old age, or solitude, we can draw near to God, finding in Him all that we need for life and godliness. David's continual resort to God was a source of strength, renewal, and praise. This access to God is a privilege available to all believers, offering a perpetual source of joy and comfort. In God, we find a refuge from the storms of life, a place where we are secure from all harm and can continually draw near for strength and renewal. [30:23]

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to draw near to God today? How can you intentionally seek His presence and guidance in this area?


Day 4: God's Tender Care
In God, we find a place of tender care and intimate knowledge. Just as a home is a place of love and rest, so is our relationship with God, where we are known and loved deeply, and where we can be ourselves without fear of judgment. David knew God as intimately as he knew the caves that had sheltered him, exploring the depths of God's attributes and finding joy and security in them. This relationship with God was not just about safety but also about intimate knowledge and tender care. [19:47]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's tender care in your life. How can you rest in His love and care today, allowing yourself to be fully known and loved by Him?


Day 5: Strength and Renewal in God
By continually resorting to God, we find strength for service, patience for suffering, and renewal for our weary souls. This continual coming to God is not a burden but a source of joy and spiritual wealth, where we are empowered to live out our faith with confidence and peace. In every trial and triumph, David turned to God, finding in Him all that he needed. This access to God is a privilege available to all believers, offering a perpetual source of joy and comfort. [37:42]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel weary or burdened? How can you seek God's strength and renewal today, trusting Him to empower you for the journey ahead?

Quotes


David in his younger days had been obliged to hide himself away with his followers in the great caverns and rocks of his native land. In the cave of Adalam by the rocks of the wild goats he had dwelt amidst the sternest surroundings of nature. No doubt he had climbed Aloft upon the Mountainside and then had penetrated into one cave after another and treated them as chambers of his House of Rock. [00:49:44]

He desired to be upon the most intimate terms with the Lord his God he wished to dwell not merely with God but in God. He cries be thou my strong habitation not merely did he long to dwell in the house of the Lord forever but he would have the Lord to be his house he would be surrounded by God and that not is with a dungeon in which he was forced to be. [04:18:00]

David found in his God delightful Repose be thou my strong habitation that is be my house and home. David was one of those who had made the most high his habitation and therefore did God continually preserve him. He was one of the favored ones who dwelt in the secret place of the Tabernacles of the most high abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. [08:04:20]

David had realized in his God peculiar love. In a man's own home he expects to find love, pity on the poor wretch who is disappointed therein. When we are abroad in the world my brethren we reckon to meet with rough handling and to receive scant consideration but within our own doors we enter the sanctuary of love. [10:01:18]

David had realized in God peaceful security be thou my strong habitation my rock of habitation. Now the child of God when he enters into the Lord by faith feels himself perfectly safe first from all risk of the Lord's changing or failing God himself is strong his love is immutable his power is unfailing this is the Solid Ground of our security. [21:55:00]

David's God was to him a place of continual Resort where unto I may continually Resort. I was talking the other day with a man of God who has very much service and great care upon him and as we commune the one with the other he said to me that expression of the psalmist is very sweet to me where unto I may continually Resort. [29:36:00]

Happy are we that the Gate of communion with God is never locked in our pastoral cares in our business trials in our family afflictions in our personal conflicts there is this saving Proviso that we may always flee unto God for sucker where unto I may continually Resort said David while the veil was yet on rent. [30:23:00]

There is joy in this thing in itself is it not a great Bliss to have the entree of Jehovah's Palace day and night is it not heaven below to have access without ceasing to Father Son and Holy Ghost how blessed to enter the Golden Gate unchallenged and remain unrebuked in the Pavilion of the king of kings. [30:34:44]

David also resorted to God for strength cast me not off in the time of old age forsake me not when my strength faileth he looked beyond himself to the unfailing power of the Almighty and expected to be strengthened when infirmities crept over him. Do you want more power for service more patience for suffering resort to God. [37:42:00]

The fact is whatever you want you have only to go to God for it and whenever you want it you may go whatever your condition you may still resort to the Lord if you cannot come as a saint you may come as a sinner if you cannot come boldly you may come tremblingly when you feel most unfit to resort to God you may still go to him. [41:35:00]

Multiply your approaches to God let them become incessant constant continual no man ever resorted to God to excess it might be possible to spend too much time in the posture of devotion but you can be in the spirit of prayer and praise all the day long and yet never run to extravagance pray without ceasing is the command of our infallible Lord. [46:34:00]

If we may continually resort to God let us go to him at once let us come before his presence with Thanksgiving and prayer even now here are several thousands of us who profess to have come hither to worship let us all draw nigh unto God this morning Let each one hasten to his footstool for himself individually. [48:21:00]

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Transcript
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