We All Need A Refuge

Hallelujah. We are glad and we will rejoice. Hallelujah. Because we are found in the house of Lord today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. This is so. Hallelujah. This has been an exciting day. Hallelujah. I don't know how excited you are today, but Hallelujah. I am blessed. I am blessed today. Hallelujah. And I want to show the world that I am blessed. I want to show the enemy. I am blessed. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. That God has his favor upon me. Hallelujah. And it's it's been struggle for the last few months. Hallelujah. But over time, God heals. Hallelujah. And I found that over the past few months, even today, I I've had that double vision for quite a while. But praise be to God that he has healed me. About 99% is been healed. Hallelujah. That I could see I can see straight ahead and I can see everything clear. Hallelujah. And it's not double. Hallelujah. It's a scary thing when you start having double vision. Especially in the word of God. When you start having double vision, Hallelujah. You're being split in two. Hallelujah. God doesn't want you sitting on the fence. God wants you sitting inside the house of God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Where you have a single mind, a single vision. Hallelujah. And it is clearly for the work of God, for the will of God to be done in our lives. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. This is not my message. This is just an opening introduction. Hallelujah. That God is wanting to bless each one of us. Hallelujah. God wants us. Hallelujah. To find him. Hallelujah. And as we are standing, we'll turn to Psalm 46. Only think that we all need a place of refuge. We all need a place of refuge. Hallelujah. And in Psalm 46, 1 to 3, it says, God is our refuge. Hallelujah. But it's not only our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Hallelujah. If you find yourself in trouble today, look to God who is your refuge and your strength. Hallelujah. Don't look to your neighbor. Don't look to the world. Don't look to things that around you look straight under God. And his word. Hallelujah. Verse 2. Therefore, will not we fear. Though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though the waters there of roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with a swelling there of sea love. No matter what's happening around us, no matter what's happening in this world. Hallelujah. We have a place that we can go to. Hallelujah. And find rest. We can find refuge. We can find anything that we need in this world. Hallelujah. And you may be seated. There is a story, not a story, but a real person whose name her name is Anne Steele. And she lived in England from 1716 to 1778. Her father was a timber merchant who also preached for 60 years. And most of the time, he did not receive any kind of money or renumeration for his pastoring. Sixty years pastoring and not receiving anything for his work. Hallelujah. How much love did he have for the work of God? How much love did he have? Hallelujah. For the things of God to bless people even though he didn't receive anything, he still gave. Hallelujah. This woman's mother died when she was three years old. And at 19, she injured her hip so badly that she became an invalid for the most of the rest of her life. At 20 and this is just to say about her story is that age 21, she was engaged. But the day before her wedding, her husband drowned or her fiance drowned. The one she loved drowned. She came to the place she's never marrying again, but she decided I'm going to assist my father in pastorial duties. Hallelujah. And fulfill and help him along his way. So she dedicated, even though she had these troubles, she dedicated herself to the Lord. She dedicated herself to the work of the Lord. Hallelujah. Because she knew that she needed a place of refuge. She knew she needed a place where she could find safety and protection. And through the last nine years of her life, she was left bedridden. But yet she was still cheerful. Still, Hallelujah. Having a helpful mind, wanting to help wherever she could be, whatever she could, whoever she came around to her, she wanted to help in any situation, whatever it may be. And in her disposition, she was unaffected humility, warm benevolence, sincere friendship, and genuine devotion. How many of us could say that same thing about somebody else? Or even about ourselves? That's very far and few between. Hallelujah. Not many can say that kind of thing. She wrote 144 hymns. They were simple, clear, beautiful, breathing a spirit of Christian faith and resignation. And a church in Boston in 1808 used 59 hymns of hers out of 152 in their hymnal. And one of the greatest songs that she wrote was "Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul." Now we probably have not heard this song. Hallelujah. We never heard this song for maybe many, many years or even never heard it before. But here's what it says. Hallelujah. "Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul on thee when sorrows rise, on thee when waves of troubles roll, my fainting hopes relies. To thee I tell thee each rising grief for thou alone canst heal. Thy word can bring a sweet relief for every pain I feel. But oh, when gloomy dots prevail, I fear to call the mine." Hallelujah. Do we sometimes have that kind of thought as well? When fear comes around, that we kind of lose sight of God? Are you still here? Are you still around? Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And it goes on to say, "The springs of comfort seem to fail and all my hopes decline." Yet gracious God, where shall I flee the God in whom I trust. And still my soul would cleave to thee though prostrate in the way in the dust. Has thou not bid me seek thy face and I shall seek in vain? And can the ear of sovereign grace be deaf when I complain? Hallelujah. We hear that in no complaining. Hallelujah. No complaints. We heard that last week. No complaining. Hallelujah. But yet we still at times complain. No still the ear of sovereign grace attends the mourners prayer. O may I ever find success, access to breathe my sorrows there. Thy mercy seat is open still. Here let my soul retreat with humble hope attend thy will and wait beneath my feet. This woman, even though she lost her mother, she's in poverty, she lost her loved one, she had pain in her legs. Hallelujah. But yet, that did not stop her from being a willing vessel. Hallelujah. Don't matter the condition we have in our hearts. Hallelujah. No matter where we find ourselves in life today, Hallelujah. We can be a willing vessel. We can be an open vessel. Hallelujah. For the Lord to complete, Hallelujah. His work in each one of us. Hallelujah. Because it's not my will to be done. Hallelujah. It is God's will to be done. Hallelujah. So we all need a supernatural refuge. Hallelujah. Because if we go to find refuge in this world, we won't find it. Hallelujah. I mean, if we're really seeking for God and we go out into the world, we're just going to get beaten and tried and down. Hallelujah. We're not going to find the refuge that we desire. Hallelujah. You can even think of when you first came to church. When you first gave yourself to the Lord, many of us, Hallelujah had those that would come against us. That would tell us this is not the place to go. But yet, we're here. Hallelujah. Yet we are still following the Lord. Hallelujah. We're desiring to follow God. Hallelujah. Because we know that we can find a refuge with Him. Hallelujah. Difficulties and problems are all part of our life. Hallelujah. Don't matter who you are, where you are. Hallelujah. How old you are. You all got problems. If you don't got a problem, there you have a problem. Because we all have problems. Hallelujah. We all have difficulties in our life. Hallelujah. That need to be. Hallelujah. That will bring us into a place of a normal life. And the same in the Bible. Hallelujah. You can take a look at the book of Psalms itself and find out what they had to bear. Hallelujah. They had attacks from giants. They had doubt in their heart. They had lies being spread about them. Very lies spread about you. Hallelujah. There's a tax of silence that provoked them. Hallelujah. We just had a through one of my work. We just had a short Bible study. It is thoughts were about what would happen. What is the real killer of something that you want to want to have done in the world. In our kingdom of God even what is a real killer that will stop somebody from coming to the kingdom of God. Hallelujah. And people brought out some different ideas. Hallelujah. And he just said that they were just results of what would happen. Of the killing that is happening and he said this what is killing is silence. Silence. Silence kills. Hallelujah. And when we are silent with the Lord. Hallelujah. There is something stirring in our heart and life that is moving us away from God. It is not until we start to proclaim and start to speak out our troubles. Hallelujah. Speak out our problems. Hallelujah. To the king of kings and the Lord of lords that he will find a place for us where we have a place of refuge. Hallelujah. Fears that paralyze them. Dryness that choke their prayers and worship. Sickness that diminish them. Hallelujah. You know that sickness diminishes our energy. It slows us down. It drags us along. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. But when we come to the place of refuge, there is a supernatural strength that can come into our lives. Hallelujah. That will help us to keep going. That will help us to keep moving forward. Hallelujah. That will help us. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. To see that there is something bigger. There is something stronger. Hallelujah. That will help us in our lives. Now if we look at Psalm 46, we find. Hallelujah. That God is our refuge and strength. The very present help and trouble. Hallelujah. I find sometimes myself in trouble at times. Hallelujah. It may have been before I came to church or even while I am in church that the troubles come. And sometimes we don't know where exactly those troubles are coming from. But they're just coming. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. But where do we find our strength? Where do we find? Hallelujah. Our help in the time of need. There is a help that God wants to give to you today. There is a help that he wants to give to each one of us today. But are we willing? Hallelujah. To give our lives and our hearts to the God. Hallelujah. Who wants to give us refuge? Hallelujah. Because we can't find refuge anywhere else. But in the house of the Lord, in the presence of God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Can I get a rejoice? Hallelujah. Can I get some praise here today? Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And sometimes it works. But sometimes it does not work. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Therefore we will not fear even though the earth be removed. Mountains be carried. Raw waters, roar and be troubled. Mountain, sport aside. Yet in verse 4 it says there is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God. Hallelujah. Even though there are storms in our life, even though there are things that are coming against us, coming against our family, coming against our children. Hallelujah. There is a river that we need to have flowing in our lives. It cannot be a stagnant river. It cannot be a well river that is dry. Hallelujah. It must have streams of water flowing. Hallelujah. That will make the city glad. It is the holy place of the tabernacle of the most high. Hallelujah. That's where we find our place. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God shall help her just at the break of dawn. Hallelujah. Too many nations are raging today. Hallelujah. Too many nations are caught up in wars. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. The kingdoms were moved. His voice utterly melted the earth. But the Lord of Hoses with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Hallelujah. Jacob the name that is. was changed to Israel. Hallelujah is now. Hallelujah. The one hallelujah refuge that we can run into. Hallelujah and find our safety. Come behold the works of the Lord who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars ceases to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spirit into. He burns the chariots in fire. Hallelujah but here in verse 10 it says be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hostes with us. See. Hallelujah. He's declaring it. Hallelujah. He's the glory. I will be with you in your trouble. I will be with you. Hallelujah. In whatever season you are in. Hallelujah. I will be with you wherever you go wherever you are. Hallelujah. I will be with you. Hallelujah. But are you with him? Hallelujah. That's the question. He is. When I first came into this I was figuring that you know God is around us. He's everywhere present. Hallelujah. But the one thing that I realize is that it's not God is not. He proclaims that he's everywhere. But there are some certain things he does not dwell in. Hallelujah. He won't dwell in a place of sin. He won't dwell in a place of lying. Hallelujah. He won't dwell in places that are against him. Hallelujah. But as I thought about we not just need the spirit around us. We need the spirit inside of us. We need God inside of us. And how can we get the God? Hallelujah. Who is all present inside of us? Only by seeking the Holy Ghost. But it also comes to the place of repenting of our sins and asking God. Hallelujah. To forgive us of our sins. Hallelujah. And coming to the place of being water baptized in the name of Jesus. We could think about different denominations. How they baptized. Baptized in Father Son Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. But is that what was proclaimed in the book of Acts? That's not proclaimed in the book of Acts. It is by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. So as we walk, if we want that place of refuge. Hallelujah. We need to be following the commandments of God. We need to be coming into his place, into his presence. And finding the rest that we need for our weary soul. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Because I was out there Saturday up downtown. And I see all the weary souls. All the souls that are just, Hallelujah. Laying on the streets as if they were, as they are dead. Hallelujah. In the spirit. Hallelujah. But they need something that will rise them up. They need a place of refuge. Hallelujah. Even the homeless people that we see. Hallelujah. And it's got to be us. It's going to bring them that place of refuge. Now some scholars say that this song originated when Sinakirah was about to attack Jerusalem with about 185,000 armed men. Now think of yourself or even your family that there's 185,000 coming to you. Hallelujah. And they're not nice people. They are there. Hallelujah. To ravage, to destroy, to kill. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. They are there coming to destroy, to, Hallelujah. To demolish the army. Hallelujah. That is coming. Hallelujah. That they are coming to. But the song says, there is a present help in time of trouble. There is help in trouble. There is comfort in trouble. And there is deliverance from trouble. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Wherever you find yourself, if you're in trouble, Hallelujah. You need these three things. Hallelujah. You need help. You need comfort and you deliverance. Hallelujah. To give you out of that trouble. Now will bring you. Hallelujah closer to God. Hallelujah. Because as we rely upon God and have that refuge and hide under the wings of Him. Hallelujah. That is our safety. That is our protection. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You're not going to find that kind of protection out in the world. Hallelujah. But you will find it in the house of God. You will find it in the presence of God. Hallelujah. Can we clap our hands under the Lord? Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And this song was like a song. Hallelujah. It was written by for Alamuth, which comes from a Hebrew word, meaning young woman. Hallelujah. And this song is associated or Alamuth is associated with music and worship in melody, pitch or style that was suited for a female singer or female voice. So they sang it in high tones. That only the women could sing. Hallelujah. You know, some of these women, Hallelujah. They overpower us men. Hallelujah. Because they got the stronger voices. They got the higher pitch. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. But we need it. Hallelujah. We need that high pitch. Hallelujah. That will get our attention. Hallelujah. That will help us to see that these women express the very refuge of God. Hallelujah. If you are in a place of refuge, hallelujah. We need to be in a place. Hallelujah. Where we are. Hallelujah. Rejoicing. Hallelujah. If you're in a place of refuge, hallelujah. And the enemy has been coming after you. Hallelujah. You will be rejoicing because you know that the enemy can't touch you. You know the enemy can't come against you. You know that the enemy. Hallelujah. Has no effect upon us. Hallelujah. Having that place of rejoicing, dancing, jumping, whatever you can do, clapping your hands. Hallelujah. Shouting under God with a voice or triumph. Shouting under him. Hallelujah. Because you have the victory when we are in the presence and refuge of God. We already have victory. Because God's already covering us. God's already protecting us. Hallelujah. God is already comforting us. Hallelujah. God is already delivering us. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And since I've come into this faith, I'm thankful that I don't have to walk alone anymore. Because my walk before God was not an easy walk. Hallelujah. It was a walk with despair, with frustration, with suicidal thoughts, with all kinds of thinking that was, how can I survive with what's going on? Hallelujah. But as a testimony, maybe you've heard it before, is that, hallelujah, my mom came down to me, living in Winnipeg. She's living eight hours away. She came down to Winnipeg to talk to me about or invite me to different, she had been dividing me to different functions for God before. She came down and talked to me. Hallelujah. And when she mentioned to me things, it was was already prepared because when I first came in before I entered the church, there were Jehovah witnesses that were coming to my door and they were getting me to look at the Word of God. Now they're not always bad, that's not always bad things because I had a Bible but it was in my what you call a chest, hidden of all kinds of things over top of it and never I've had it for so many years that I never even looked at it. But once they started to, God started to turn my mind around, hey you need to look at the Word of God. So then I started to read the Word of God and my mom came down and she started to talk to me about God. Hallelujah but she asked me when she finished talking to me about saying one prayer, you say a prayer. So without really thinking I just started to say a prayer. It was one sentence, "God I thank you for the light that she's showing me." Then a lot of a sudden my mind just started to open, I need to go to church, I need to find a church. I need to find a place and this was very unusual for me. Hallelujah but God was impressing upon me. Go, go, go. Hallelujah until I found a church that looking through the yellow pages, trying to find a church to go to, not having any idea of where to go. But I decided that while I was growing up in a Baptist church and then my parents changed so many years later into a Pentecostal church, Turnitarian. So when the decision came upon me I decided, well maybe I'll just follow them. I had no idea about what the differences were between the different churches. Had no idea and God just opened up, this is the one. So I started to find through yellow pages and started to look for a close church that was Pentecostal. And the one that I found was a United Pentecostal church. Not having any idea about what it was who was there. Hallelujah. I just decided, well I'm going to phone the pastor and find out when the services were and if it's available for me to come. So I phoned him, he gave me the times, gave me the address and I just said, okay, I'll be there Sunday. So Sunday came and I'm walking to church and I go into church and there's people there there saying good things to me. And then after the service was done they asked, we have an evening service. Are you willing to come? And so I was hesitant through that whole time. I didn't say yes and I didn't say no. But during that afternoon and some of you heard this before, is that God spoke to me and he continued to repeat it in my mind over and over and over again saying, what are you going to do? Are you going to just sitting here being bored all afternoon? And that kept repeating in my mind over and over again until I decided I'm going. Hallelujah. I don't know how long God would have kept that in my mind. Hallelujah. For I don't know ages maybe until I decided I'm going to go. Hallelujah till I made that decision. So I went there that evening and that evening was I found my refuge. That evening I found my refuge. Hallelujah. Because God is my only refuge now. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. When he breathes upon me. Hallelujah. I am able to find that place of refuge. God will shelter those who serve him despite being placed in a situation of danger. Hallelujah. God will shelter those who place their trust in him no matter what they are facing or no matter what kind of situation they're in. Through the army 3327 the eternal God is my refuge and underneath him are his ever lasting arms. Hallelujah. He would. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't say yes to go to church that night. Hallelujah. There's many situations happen in my life before that. Hallelujah that I could have been six feet under. God. But thank be to God. Hallelujah. That I answered the call. Hallelujah. There is a calling upon each one of us today. Hallelujah. That we need to answer. Hallelujah. Because if we want to refine refuge we got to answer the call of God. We can't just sit there and wait till something happens. We got to do something ourselves. Hallelujah. And sometimes it is not so easy. Sister Elizabeth talked about tests this morning. Hallelujah. And how many tests do we want to go through? Hallelujah. God was speaking to me. Hallelujah. How many of us really want the rest for our soul? Hallelujah to make heaven our home. Hallelujah. Come, Lord quickly. Come quickly Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. That these tests would be come and would be gone. Hallelujah. Because a lot of people do not like tests. You go to school. Do you like studying for your test? Hallelujah. A lot of people don't want to study for their tests. You just leave it aside and then whatever happens at the test, what is what happens? Hallelujah. But there is a test that we need to go through. Hallelujah. That we need to pass. We can't be like the world. Were they just saying whether I pass or not it doesn't matter. Hallelujah. In the kingdom of God it matters. Hallelujah. We need to pass this test because it is about heaven. Hallelujah or hell. Hallelujah. And we need to place our cells in the place of heaven. We want to find our refuge in. Hallelujah. The Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. Because there is no greater place to be. 27 and 5 for in time a trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion. In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me. He shall set me upon a rock. Hallelujah and we know who that rock is. Hallelujah that we can stand upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Who will hide us from every kind a trouble Psalm 31 and 20 thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man. Hallelujah when we get into the presence of God. Hallelujah there's no more pride. No more eye. Hallelujah there's only him. Hallelujah when we get into him. Hallelujah there is no more eye because hallelujah we are wanting the kingdom of God to grow. We want the kingdom of God. Hallelujah. Souls to see. Hallelujah to come into the presence of God. Hallelujah. Psalm 71. Be thou my strong habitation. We're into I may continually resort. Thou hast given commandment to save me. Thou art my rock and my fortress. Hallelujah this place of refuge. Hallelujah is not just a one time. Hallelujah. Now sometimes we think that we're in trouble. We run to the refuge but once it's done we know that. just go away, Al-Aluya, and then we figure that we can solve any kind of problem. Al-Aluya. But here God says, "Aluya, thou is a presence from the pride of man, thou shall secretly." He is, "Aluya are continuous refuge." Al-Aluya. Be thou my strong habitation wherein I may continually resort, where I may continually go into. Al-Aluya, where I can find rest continually. Al-Aluya from this world that is demanding so much upon us. Proverbs 1810, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and is safe." Isaiah 25 and 4, "For thou has been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat when the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the will of the wall." See even strength to the poor. Not necessarily a strength to the rich, because the rich think they are already strong. They rich think they already have all power. Al-Aluya, you could think of a couple of billionaires, trillionaires. Al-Aluya, in this world they are living today, Al-Aluya. And they think they have the power over the world. Al-Aluya. But do they have the power of the Spirit? Do they have the power? Al-Aluya, they will help them to resist every temptation in this world. That is the place of refuge. That is the presence of God. Al-Aluya, that anything that comes against us, Al-Aluya, we have a place to go. Al-Aluya, where we can find it, Al-Aluya, where we can think upon God. And He will give us the answer. Al-Aluya. The answers are not always in Google. Google has all the answers. Al-Aluya, except the word of God. Al-Aluya. The interpretation of the word of God. Al-Aluya, why do we need a refuge? We need a refuge because we find ourselves in trouble. Because of the instability of this earth. All the storms, all the earthquakes, all the volcanic eruptions. Al-Aluya. I don't know when that was in April. There's probably, I think, three eruptions around the world in the same day. Al-Aluya won in Philippines, won in Japan, and won in Malaysia. Not at exact same time, but all in the same day. Al-Aluya, we find the instability of the earth. The people of the mountains, the threat of roaring troubled waters. Now each one of us can attest that we've been overwhelmed at times. By an attack from the enemy that will try to destroy us. Al-Aluya, we can think of troubles as being the bills are not being paid. The grades, Al-Aluya, cannot be made. Expectations, Al-Aluya, that we try to live up to, but not are not being met. Al-Aluya, even people that we can't please. Al-Aluya, we try sometimes to please everyone. Al-Aluya, Al-Aluya, but as we grow, we find that we can't please everyone. Al-Aluya, maybe a weakness that you cannot resist. Al-Aluya, I could name a few, but I will not name them. Al-Aluya, I'll let you think about them. Al-Aluya, maybe a boss or a job that you cannot escape from. Maybe a job that you don't like, the people around you, you don't like because of what they're saying and what they're doing and what they're, Al-Aluya trying to convert you into. Al-Aluya, a place of escape, or maybe a pass that you want to forget. Or maybe a hopeless future that you don't want to face. Al-Aluya, there's many people, Al-Aluya, that are hopeless. Al-Aluya, because they don't see any hope. They don't see. Al-Aluya, what God is able to do for them. Al-Aluya, do you want something to God to do something for you today? Al-Aluya. Al-Aluya, you can raise your hands, that's right. Al-Aluya, if you want something for God to do for you today, Al-Aluya, it is finding the refuge. Al-Aluya, it is finding the presence of God. Al-Aluya, that is our only help. Al-Aluya, the longer we live, the more we discover that our own strength is, the more strength is not what it used to be. Al-Aluya, we need a refuge. Al-Aluya, the elders of the church can attest to that. Al-Aluya, they can say that I am weary. Al-Aluya, I need rest. But J.A. Block says, "Our faith is not for an hour a day. Our faith is not just for church, inside the church building. Our faith is not just for Sunday. It is not just for our Bible study. It is not just for our prayer meeting." Al-Aluya, it is not just for one hour a day or one hour a week. It is for every moment that we live and breathe here on this earth. It is a place, Al-Aluya, where faith is growing day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. And we build upon that faith, Al-Aluya, that as we heard from Sister Elizabeth, that our muscles will go stronger and stronger. Al-Aluya, the harder it is for the enemy to enter. The harder it is for Al-Aluya, things to trouble us, things to discourage us, things to help us. And it is for the sake of our faith. of God and trusting the elders, trusting our pastor. I don't know you can't find the refuge that you need. But in verse 7 and 11 it talks about a place not a place of trust but a place of safety. Because when you start trusting somebody you will find safety. If you don't trust somebody you find that they're not safe. Hallelujah. So we find in our Lord Jesus Christ this place of refuge we can find trust and we can find hallelujah safety. Who here wants to be safe? Hallelujah. We all want to be safe. Hallelujah. But are we trusting in the Word of God? Are we trusting in what God has for us? Hallelujah. God works in mysterious ways even when I was coming into this church. Hallelujah. In times of sickness and weakness he is our healer. In times of fear he is the everlasting arms. Hallelujah. In times of anxiousness or worry he is our wise counselor. Hallelujah. In times of danger he is our support. In times of sorrow he is our comfort. Hallelujah. In times of sin he is the voice of forgiveness. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. If we've seen hallelujah God will forgive us. He is asking us to forgive. Hallelujah. He's asking us. Hallelujah. To repent of our sin. Oh God. Lord forgive me. Lord of the words. Lord I said Lord. Forgive me. Lord of the actions. Lord that I've done. Oh Lord. Hallelujah. Forgive me. Lord. Hallelujah. I'm every secret fault. Lord that I've done. Oh Lord. Lord that I may be Lord in your presence. Lord in your refuge. Oh God. Lord. Because without forgiveness we cannot enter the place of refuge. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Where is my refuge? In time of trouble. And this says that in verse 46 and one he is a very present help and time of trouble. Meaning he is near. He can be found and he's not far away. Many years ago I heard over the over the radio that somebody's trying to reach God but they think that he's too far away. He's too high to reach. Hallelujah. So that's a discouragement to her. Hallelujah. That how can I find the help that I need? How can I find? Hallelujah. Somebody to help me in my need. That nobody else is answering. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you have a need but nobody's answering your need? Hallelujah. How do you feel in that time of a place? Kind of place. When you are in need but there's nobody to help you. Find all kinds of negative emotions. You get discouraged. You get frustrated. You get mad and angry. Hallelujah. Even to the place where hallelujah you may even show out your anger. But there is a place of refuge. There is a place hallelujah that we can go to hallelujah. That we don't need to be frustrated. We don't need to be angry enough said hallelujah. We don't need to be having those negative emotions. Hallelujah. Hallelujah as long as we are in the presence of God as long as we are in that refuge. Hallelujah. Hiding under the rock hallelujah. Hiding in the clefts of the rock hallelujah that we may find a strength that we need. See the night when Zanakura was about to attack Jerusalem and they started to reach the gates. The guards were astonished as they watched the angels. The angels suddenly attacked the enemy with such power. Hallelujah. That these 185,000 men were destroyed in a split second. And all Israel just sat back and watched. Watched it happen. Hallelujah. Is that something to be? Hallelujah. Great about the rejoice about hallelujah that when we are in trouble all we need to do is rely on the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all his strength. Trust in him. Hallelujah. Your refuge may seem like it's far away but it is so near. Hallelujah. And we've heard about the six cities of refuge. Those fleeing hallelujah without madness or premeditation of murder or hurting somebody else they enter the gates of the city and find that no one can take vengeance or judgment upon them. Hallelujah. But there is also a tradition of these six cities that the roads would be cleared every year. They would be carefully repaired. All the obstacles would be cleared. Stones would be tossed aside that no man that was fleeing for his life would have a hindrance in his life. Hallelujah. Having a clear way to the place of refuge. And when we have that clear path when we've decided I'm going to trust in Jesus. I'm going to trust in his word. Hallelujah. That starts the clear path. I'm going to obey his word. Hallelujah. Because there is in these three cities and you've heard them before. Hallelujah. And Kadesh is a sanctuary, a place of renewal. Shackham is talking about shoulder or back a place of strength. Hebron is an association or league a place of support. When you're alone you have no support. When you are alone, hallelujah, facing your struggle you have no support. But God wants to be your support today. God wants to support you. Hallelujah. God wants to help you. Hallelujah. In your struggle today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. He wants to renew you. Hallelujah. He wants to strengthen you. He wants to support you. Hallelujah. That's what he wants. Hallelujah. But there's another side. The east side. Hallelujah. And the east side is bezzar which is an inaccessible fortress. A place where the enemies cannot enter. Wouldn't you like to be in a place where no enemies can enter in and destroy your life, destruct your life or disturb your life? Hallelujah. It is. Hallelujah. A place where we can hallelujah. Find what he needs. Ramoth is a lofty place. A church that can dwell in heavenly places. Hallelujah. We know that the new Jerusalem is coming down. We know that the church of the living God is coming down. Hallelujah. But he hasn't just placed that place of refuge up in heaven. Hallelujah. He's given it to us here on earth. Hallelujah. Through the word of God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And it is also go then which is an enclosure. When we start to place ourselves in God in Jesus Christ, there is a hedge that is being built. Hallelujah. It's not just a hedge in front of you. Hallelujah. The hedge inside beside you. It is a hedge that surrounds you. Hallelujah. And that is like a fence surrounding you, giving you the protection that you need. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. But sad to say in this earth, there are enemies that even go through the hedge. Hallelujah. And try to steal what they desire. But we have a place of refuge. Hallelujah. Do we need to be renewed in the Holy Ghost? And everybody should raise their hands. Hallelujah. We need to be renewed in the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. We need Hallelujah, the presence of God. Hallelujah. There may be some here that need to strengthen. Hallelujah. That they need to carry out the will of God. Because the will of God cannot be done in our own strength. We need the strength of God to carry out the will of God. Do you need support or encouragement? Hallelujah. David even said, "The word of God encourages me." Hallelujah. I'm all alone, but the word that will encourage me comes from God. Hallelujah. You want encouragement today? Hallelujah. Start getting into the word of God. Start reading the word of God. Hallelujah. It will encourage you. It will strengthen you. It will help you in any time that you are in. Hallelujah. Do you want to dwell in a heavenly place? Hallelujah. Deciding long ago, I don't want to dwell in an earthly place. Hallelujah. Because I know it will eventually be destroyed. Hallelujah. But I want to dwell in a heavenly place. I want to dwell where Jesus is. Hallelujah. I want to dwell where the church of the living God is. I want to dwell where I can receive a strength. Lord, where I can receive support. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. I want to dwell in the word of God. I want to dwell in your presence. Oh Jesus. I want to dwell Lord in the spirit of God. Hallelujah. Do you want to have protection? Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Because there are times that we are being protected, but we don't know it. Hallelujah. And God wants to protect us all the time. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Let us stand. Hallelujah. You want your place of refuge? Hallelujah. You're going through some sort of problem, through some sort of situation. Hallelujah. That you don't know how to get out of. Hallelujah. There is a place of refuge. There is a place that we can go to. Hallelujah. That we can find the rest Lord that we need. We can find the protection that we need. Hallelujah. And it is not through our own ways, our own devices, but it is through the word of God. It is through. Hallelujah. What God does through his spirit in each of our lives. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. If you need to Holy Ghost, you come to the front. If you need the spirit of God, if you need to be renewed in the spirit of God, this altar is open for each one of you. Hallelujah. Lord, there is no crossing over to Jordan. Hallelujah. Unless you get into the spirit of God. Unless you get into the place where God wants you to be. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. This is a place of refuge. This is a place. Hallelujah. Where we can find the presence of God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Because over the years I find that I can't rely on myself. Too many of us rely upon our own strengths. We rely upon our own selves. Hallelujah.