“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:2)
Non-Christians seeing this text would deem it one of those “crutches” that people of faith have. They often consider people of faith as weak and needing a being that they have formed to be a “god”, so they can be excused from responsibility for their own actions or blame someone when anything goes wrong.
It is no accident that when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments that the first is, “I am the Lord your God; you will have no other gods before me”.
Inherent in this statement is that we all have a “god” of sorts. It may not be God or any form of spiritual being, but if we are honest with ourselves, we will recognise that there are “places” we go to for refuge from what may be happening in our lives. This may take the form of food, drink, shopping, a spouse or other members of the family, a close friend, nature, or escape into another world through reading.
We all need a place of refuge and this is what it looks like: “No harm will overtake you”, and “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you”. And why? “‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him’” (verse 14).
The use of the word “refuge” is a timely one. There are many refugees seeking refuge from war, famine, violence. Yes, they are seeking a place of refuge. Are we not also refugees from what disturbs, frightens and stresses us? It may not be a physical refuge we seek, but the need is the same. The benefit of God being our refuge is that even amid whatever is happening, we don’t have to go anywhere. God is ever-present. Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promise of refuge as through his death and resurrection, we were gifted being made right with God.
Where do you find “refuge”?
Prayer
Dear God, you promise that if we call on you, you will answer. I pray, therefore, that you would be my refuge and strength. I praise and thank you for all your abundant blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
