This morning, I was reminded of a phrase.

I kept hearing:

“do not retreat“

And so I asked the Lord about it…

What did He want to show me about this phrase—about the word “retreat“?

The word “retreat” can mean:

“to withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or after a defeat.“

“the act of moving back or withdrawing”

“to change one’s decisions, plans, or attitude, as a result of criticism from others”

“an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable“

But…

what I felt like the Lord was pointing out to me this morning is this:

The word “retreat” can also mean,

“a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax”

“a place of privacy or safety (refuge)”

And when I saw this is all started coming together…

While our enemy has a goal in mind for us,

to convince us, to intimidate us,

to give-up

to shut down

to back down

to move backwards

to self-destruct…

GOD has a far different kind of “retreat” in mind for us!

Synonyms for “retreat” are:

asylum, 

harbor, 

haven, 

refuge, 

sanctuary, 

sanctum, 

shelter

And here is the key:

“Put on the full amour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”. —Ephesians 6:11-13

God is our “retreat”—and so…

we do not have to “retreat!”

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”—Psalm 46:1

“You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.”—Psalm 31:4

“But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”—Psalm 59:16

“For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?“—Deuteronomy 4:7

God, I thank You… that we do not have to “retreat“…because we find our place of “retreat” in YOU. 💝🏝

How You make a way for us…

How You lead us into Your “oasis.”

Thank You for showing us the truth!

A truth…

that sets us free

from having to “retreat“…

because we find our “retreat“—

our refuge, our quiet calm, our strength, our peace…

always, and only

in You.

“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.“—Deuteronomy 33:27

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…”—Psalm 91:1

“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”—Psalm 91:2

 

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”—2 Corinthians 4:16-18 [MSG]

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:7

-Heather 🌺