You, Oh Lord, Are My Refuge
I’m thinking today of refuge, reflecting on those places we go for refuge. This song by Cheri Keaggy has been on my mind this morning:
You, oh Lord, are my refuge
You are holy and just
You are faithful and righteous
You, oh Lord, are my refuge
By Your mercy, You cover meUnder the shadow of Your wings
Lord, in Your presence I’ll remain
You are forevermore the same
You are my refuge, my only refugeYou, oh Lord, are my refuge
In You I find rest
You’re my God and my fortress
You, oh Lord are my refuge
By Your mercy, You cover me
It’s easy to think about such things with so much evidence around us of people fleeing storms. But I’m thinking about the internal struggles and external pressures which are not so evident, which also make us flee.
Difficulties at home which develop into category 5 marital problems or sibling depressions. Difficulties at work which beat against our values, ethics and motivation. Difficulties at school which weaken the foundation of our fragile feelings of self-worth.
Just because we believe in Jesus and try to follow him as best we know how does not exempt us from difficulties. We, too, read the headlines, follow the footage, and are tempted to despair. We need no further confirmation that bad things happen to good people. We need no other reminders that trouble and peril abound in this world.
It’s quite easy to seek and find refuge in many different places. The irony is that these earthly shelters only provide temporary refuge. The roof is bound to come off sooner or later. Either that or at some point the storm will be over and what was your refuge you learn is not your home.
It is the insecurity of this world that should propel us to the security of a relationship with the Father. The enduring blessing of a God at work is seeing Him continue to be in our mess. God certainly has not set us adrift. He has not left us alone in turbulent seas in a flimsy raft.
Psalm 33:18-22 (NCV) But the LORD looks after those who fear him, those who put their hope in his love. He saves them from death and spares their lives in times of hunger. So our hope is in the LORD. He is our help, our shield to protect us. We rejoice in him, because we trust his holy name. LORD, show your love to us as we put our hope in you.
The idea in verse 19 is that God will save our souls from death. It does not mean that as those who fear him we are exempted from physical death. It means that even if circumstances in this world take our life that our souls are secure. Certainly we trust God to spare our life – who else could we trust? Ultimately the relief and security we crave is satiated by accepting that my life is in his hands.
This is why the Psalmist can talk about trouble and distress and in the very same breath find a reason to praise.
Psalm 34:1-4 (NCV) I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise is always on my lips. My whole being praises the LORD. The poor will hear and be glad. Glorify the LORD with me, and let us praise his name together. I asked the LORD for help, and he answered me. He saved me from all that I feared.
I wonder if that might be way James says we should be joyful in the face of trouble? That trials and tribulations provide an opportunity for us to learn more about the goodness of God. That difficulty and despair provide perfect opportunities for God to demonstrate how great He really is.
Thanks so much for this blog today. Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty beaten up by the storms around me. It is good to be reminded that there is a refuge…a balm in Gilead.
I’ve heard it said often that the reason Peter sank in the water was because he took his eyes of Jesus and started looking at the crashing waves around him. I know it’s true in my case. And even then, He reaches out His hand and saves us.
I also try to remind me to be thankful IN all circumstances, not necessarily FOR all of them.
P.S. – Please see your blog from yesterday for my comment. I believe you promised bonus points for ad jingles of yore. I’ll bet I won!
So very true! One of my pet peeves (one of several) are the televangelists who proclaim the “God wants you to be happy” gospel. They draw people by the tens of thousands, but what an empty mesage. How does one develop character outside of the storms of life? These guys make millions, but that happiness shelter is going to collapse.
Good thoughts, Randy.
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This post was better and more timely than a feast for 2 at Sonny’s. I‚Äôm definitely one who doesn‚Äôt want those ‚Äústorms‚Äù to come my way. If I can see the storm coming I will pray to God to remove it from my sight. I guess in that way I‚Äôm a spiritual sissy. I‚Äôm glad that God has been patient with me and allowed me to see the benefits of having my faith tested when I get to the back side of the storm. It‚Äôs just that I go kicking and screaming as I enter those storms of life. I need to work on it.
Thanks for the post Randy.
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One of the benefits of going through storms is gaining the knowledge that you can survive them. I certainly spent some unhappy years, wondering why God was doing what He was doing with my life. But finally, the clay decided to shut up and let the sculptor sculpt.
Good thoughts. I need to take refuge in God. I feel the need very strongly tonight. Thank you God for the Psalms. vurywz
The Lord is a present help in trouble.
Wow! Isn’t it awesome how God blesses us through this BLOGGING thing. Thanks Randy.
My favorite thing that you said is “It means that even if circumstances in this world take our life that our souls are secure.” That statement reminds me so much of Jimmy V’s acceptance speech on the ESPN Awards years ago. As most of you know, Jim Valvano died of cancer. He went through an ordeal that eventually took his life. I remember sitting on my couch in tears as he talked about his life. He ended his speech with these words. “Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul.”
How true it is that all the adversity in this world cannot touch the things that really matter and that we will take into eternity. Wow!!!
Keith – I remember hearing Jimmy V’s speech. If you remember the scene following North Carolina State’s upset of Houston in the NCAA championship game, it makes me want to tackle Jimmy V and give him a hug since he couldn’t find anyone else to do it.
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