Refuge

Readings for today: Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52

These words today hit different when you know David’s story. On the run. Hiding in the hills. Living out of caves in the wilderness. Constantly under threat. Always having to watch his back. This is where life finds David right now and what does he do? He sings. He composes songs to God. He sets his prayers to music. He hits on themes that will resonate among God’s people for centuries.

God is our refuge. We don’t place our hope in strongholds for they can be taken. We don’t place our hope in fortified cities for they can be overcome. We don’t place our hope in foreign kings and princes for they can be bought off. We don’t place our hope in our own strength or wisdom for we can falter and fall. God is our only sure refuge. He is the only one who can deliver us from those who pursue us, those who attack us, those who seek to do evil to us. At the same time, to take refuge in the Lord is a fearful thing. It means we will be exposed, vulnerable, and laid bare before Him. He will search our hearts to see if there is any wrong we have done. He will judge whether we have acted in righteousness towards those with whom we are at odds. David invites this judgment for he knows the Lord judges with righteousness. David has no fear for he has done nothing wrong. He has refused to take advantage of circumstances and situations to benefit himself. He is waiting on the Lord. He is confident God has good plans for him and will bring them to pass in His time.

Is God your refuge? Is God the one you run to when you are afraid? When feel under attack? When life is hard? When the future is uncertain? When you are experiencing conflict with those you love or those you serve? How does one make God a refuge? One follows the example of David. First and foremost, you pray. You pray honestly and openly. You pray not for your will but for the Lord’s will to be done in your life. You invite the Lord to scrutinize your life and judge the intentions of your heart. You draw close to the Lord. Wait on the Lord. Sit in silence and solitude before Him. No distractions. No alarms. No rush. You might even journal. Write down what’s on your heart. Perhaps even sing your prayers if you’re so inclined. Second, you trust. You believe. You cling to hope. Like David, you have faith the Lord hears the cries of the righteous and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. You may be facing many afflictions but the Lord’s promise is to deliver you from them all. Finally, you act. You act righteously and justly. You act graciously and mercifully. You act lovingly and compassionately. You humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and surrender your will and your way to Him. Walking with the Lord is what gives the godly their confidence.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 56, 120, 140, 141, 142

Our Refuge and Strength

Readings for today: Revelation 17-18, Psalms 46

I lived in Princeton, New Jersey on 9/11. Many of my friends and colleagues interned in New York City. Many of the families my wife worked with in her after school program worked in New York City. On the morning when the planes hit the towers, I was turning left from Canal Pointe Boulevard onto Alexander Street to go to campus. I was listening to the radio when the news hit. Every station I checked carried it. Every person delivering the report was in shock. Like everyone, I was in disbelief. I could not wrap my mind around the events. I could not begin to imagine the scope of the tragedy.

An acquaintance of mine was serving as a pastor off Fifth Avenue at the time in the city. When the towers fell, he put on his clergy robe and ran out into the streets. He threw open the doors of his church and people streamed in seeking sanctuary. A safe place. As he watched them mill about the auditorium, he knew he needed to say something. But how does one begin to put words to the national nightmare we were experiencing? My friend turned to Psalm 46. He read the Psalm aloud over and over again. God is our refuge and strength. God is our present help in time of trouble. We do not need to fear though the earth gives way for God is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Our stronghold. Be still and know that I am God. As he recited those words, a sense of peace came over the place. The people began to calm down. They began to weep. The initial shock began to wane. They provided what food and water they could. They let people stay as long as they wanted. The church stayed open 24/7 for days as people kept coming, looking for help. Looking for hope. My friend kept returning to those Psalm.

There is nothing more powerful than knowing God is with you in the midst of tragedy. Nothing more comforting than knowing we are never alone no matter what we may go through or face in life. God is the one unmovable, unshakeable, unbreakable reality in existence. Everything else is on the clock. Father Time is undefeated whether you are talking individuals or empires. The universe itself is dying every day as more and more of her energy is spent. This is why we look to God. We know we cannot count on the things of this world. We cannot depend on the people of this world. We cannot place our trust in princes or kings, prime ministers or presidents. There is only One who is faithful. Only One who is good. Only One who has the authority and power to be our refuge and strength. Be still and know God, friends.

Readings for tomorrow: Revelation 19-20, Psalms 47 (No devotionals on Sundays)