For the second time in three years, I’ll be heading up to ICCS for their 8th grade graduation.
They’ve asked me to talk to them from Psalm 5:11-12:
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice
in you.12 For surely, O
LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with
a shield.
Where can I go to be safe?
School. Home. Friendships. In your community.
But since this is graduation, let’s focus for a minute on
school.
– School is a place where you feel safe.
– By safe… I mean a place where you don’t feel threatened
emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
– You are accepted there. You have thrived there.
– Chances are… you’ve rarely felt unsafe there.
– It’s a place where you’ve learned a lot educationally,
a lot about your faith, and a lot about yourself.
What makes it safe?
– It’s safe because you have excellent teachers who love
you.
– It’s safe because you know the routine
– It’s safe because you know what to expect and what is
expected of you.
– You feel safe, because
you are safe
What’s the benefit of
being safe?
When you are safe, you are free to grow, thrive, and excel.
Feeling unsafe
I’ll never forget the first day of my 7th grade….
The safety of my elementary school was gone…
Big Point: I didn’t
feel safe, I needed a place of refuge.
Here is some good news… there is a place, bigger and better
than your school, bigger and better than your family, and bigger and better
than your friends… in whom to take refuge when you feel unsafe.
Why?
Because your school isn’t perfect. Your family isn’t
perfect. And your friends, they aren’t perfect either.
While these people and places aren’t outright dangerous.
In the ocean of life there are times when family, friends,
and school are big and strong enough to protect you from sharks who seek to
destroy you…
But there are times coming when the sharks of life are
bigger and stronger than your family, friends, and school…. Who will you then
take refuge in?
There is One who
will provide you with perfect refuge all the days of your life. Indeed God is
so perfect and so strong and such a good protector, that He defines refuge.
David, a man who was rescued by the hands of God and a man
who continued all the days of his life to look to God as his protector and his
refuge wrote “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing
for joy.”
David knew what it was like to need refuge… and he knew that
depending on God gave him assurance. Not insurance… which is something you buy…
when we take refuge with our lives in God, we rest in his assurance. Assurance
is something you can’t buy. This is why we sing the hymn, Blessed Assurance and
not Blessed Insurance.
Assurance: A
statement or indication that inspires confidence; a guarantee or pledge.
Graduates, continue to take refuge in God.
David continues on, “Spread your protection over them; that
those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
An amazing thing happens in life. It really can’t be
explained. But those who live their life for God… are some of the happiest
people in the world.
Why is that? It’s
because they have the assurance that if they glorify Christ by being obedient
to Him, God will protect them.
Graduates, taking refuge in God is a form of worship.
David closes Psalm 5 by saying, “For surely, O Lord, you
bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Graduates, this is
not the end of God’s protection over you… as you continue to live for Him, He
will surround you with favor.
It’s my hope, the hope of your parents, the hope of your
teachers and administrators, that this day…
– While it ends one part of your life.
– Is just the beginning of a life with Christ.
– Is just the beginning of a life marked by your taking
refuge in God.
God bless you graduates. Today is not the end, it is just
the beginning! So let’s celebrate!
Amen.
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