Refugee
A popular American television show and movie many years ago demonstrated the anxiety of a falsely accused man who continually ran to escape capture and imprisonment. The tension in the show was palpable. Today refugees from natural disasters and war-torn countries come into our homes with the evening newscast, but our ninety-second empathy ends with the commercial if we’re not careful.
Only a refugee can really comprehend the concept of refuge—someone who has known hunger, deprivation, nakedness, or poverty. David understood. He ran for his life from Saul and even from Absalom, the son who betrayed him. It must have been bitter to lay his weary head on the floor of a cave or on a high rock in the chill night time knowing that he had once felt the prophet’s fragrant anointing oil and the luxury of a king’s rooms.
I have never had to run for my life. Yet, the necessity of relying on God’s help, on his comfort and protection was very real in every crisis I have ever faced. I can run to my Father just as my children buried their tearful faces at my knees. I can look to the Son, my advocate, my spirit’s lawyer to give account for my sins in the court of heaven. I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me in the dark days of trial. The Amplified Word of God mentions” refuge” 22 times in its concordance. The sheer number of times it’s mentioned compels me to rethink its importance.
Don’t we all have an innate desire to escape our troubles and pain? The number of people involved in the opioid crisis in this nation says YES! David said,” Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge…” (Psalm 144:1,2 NIV). Good soldiers know they need rest before a new campaign. In the hiding place, they regroup their thoughts and recollect resources before the next round. They minister to the wounded and take nourishment to renew their energy.
The Hebrews author mentions God’s abiding oath of blessing to us, a precious promise that “we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged” (Heb. 6:18 NIV). So, we are not alone in our distress. Today I will confess that God is the buffer between me and the destructive forces that buffet my soul. He is the jetty in the harbor that takes the pounding force of the waves to ease my passage through to new destinations. ” I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust” (Psalm 9:2 NIV).
My favorite part was the metaphor of a jetty protecting us from the pounding waves.
So glad that God is my refuge… thanks for sharing.
I am thankful that God is my refuge when I feel uncertain or deal with an issue that is out of my hands.
God is our refuge and strength! Praise God!