Rise and Shine or Duck and Roll?

Posted on April 24, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Rise and Shine or Duck and Roll?

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

I often wonder as I read through scripture and see the times men would rise to an occasion and fight or withdraw and wait. When do we as men rise up and take a stand or sit back and wait for a more opportune time.

As I read thru the book of Hebrews the writer makes a distinction between mature and immature. He says in chapter 5 “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”.

We as a staff at Keswick are going thru a series on hearing the “whisper” of God. I personally have never heard God speak to me audibly and find that when a situation arises and a decision has to be made it’s usually a right decision when I’m spiritually sound which is directly related to my personal devotional time with the Lord. It’s when I am digging into the scriptures and getting into the “meat of the word” that helps me hear that “whisper”.

The writer of Hebrews tells us it’s the “reason of use” that helps us with discernment, when our “senses are exercised”. So, when a situation arises and I have to decide, “should I stay or should I go” is going to be successful based on my current standing with the Lord.

The way I measure my decision is usually a question I ask myself, “if I’m confident that God is telling me to move forward, then I go, if not I stay”. Staying usually involves a retreating back to the scriptures. For me it’s the second series of the Psalms, 61 – 68.

Listen to David in Psalm 61,

“Hear my cry, O God;

​​Attend to my prayer.  ​​From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

​​When my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

​ ​​For You have been a shelter for me,

​​A strong tower from the enemy. ​​I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

​​I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”

So, when a storm arises and you’ve been tossed and turned, like most captains of a ship, look to the Heavens when the sky clears and find your “True North”. Rob Russomano serves full-time at America’s Keswick and blogs weekly. You can email Rob at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Revelation 11

Think About This: “Either we are unfaithful in order to be popular, or we are willing to be unpopular in our determination to be faithful. I very much doubt if it is possible to be faithful and popular at the same time.” John Stott

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1