Our Refuge

Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You.

Every year in the spring and summer it seems we have a number of intense storms - thunder storms. Most people do not like them a whole lot, and I know I sure don't. We need the rain, but if it would just come with less force and less intensity, it would suit me just fine. Well, we get that loud thunder and the bright lightning. And when the winds get really strong, my idea is to just head for the basement and feel safe and secure.

I can remember during the years that we lived in Missouri, we were on tornado alley. It was nicknamed that, very appropriately, because the winds from the North and the winds from the South always seem to collide and there are a lot of very intense storms along that stretch. I can remember one night when a tornado shook the whole neighborhood. It tore down some houses and things were pretty intense. Another night there were twelve tornadoes that touched down right around us. Those were the times when I was ready to just head for the basement, that safe and secure place, because I did not like being out in the storm.

You know, the Lord promises to be our refuge in times of storm. And He's not only talking about the real and literal physical storms that go on around us, but also the emotional storms, the spiritual storms, the mental torment that sometimes comes into our lives. Psalm 9:9-10 says, "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."

That's a pretty neat thought. He talks about the Lord in verse 9. It says He will be a refuge. He talks to the Lord in verse 10, saying that if we put our trust in the Lord we will not be forsaken. What an amazing thought! The Hebrew word that is translated "refuge" literally means "a safe and secure place." David wrote this Psalm and he tells us we can be safe. We can feel safe and we can have courage because we know that the Lord is the One that is never going to leave us, and He is never going to let us feel abandoned.

Most of us have two primary fears. We fear being hurt and we fear being abandoned. David reminds us that in God, we have strength. He will be our refuge, our safe and secure place in those difficult times of life. Please turn to God, asking Him to be your refuge, taking comfort in prayer. Spend time with Him in the Word, with fellow believers, asking others to pray for you. Find that refuge, that safe place in time of trouble. You can do that today. You can do it right now. Simply ask Him. Remember, He's your refuge.

By Dr. Ann Shorb

Find out more about Christian counseling.

Related Articles and Devotionals:
Four Things God Wants You to Know
Thanksgiving for God's Provisions
God's Sovereignty

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