God, My Refuge

There are days when we wish we could run to a place of safety, away from the troubles of life and the arrows of the enemy. We do get weary of the pandemic, “breaking news,” and opinions passed off as truth. It would be so easy to throw up our hands in utter hopelessness. But praise God for our refuge. That place of peace, comfort and wisdom. That place where we hear a voice of love, kindness and grace. Listen to this passage. Then fall into God’s arms of refuge.

1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

14-16 “if you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
If you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” Psalm 91 (The Message)

Prayer

Jesus,

O Most High, whoever dwells in Your shelter will rest in Your shadow, my Almighty King. I will say of You, “Jesus is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely You will save me from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings I will find refuge; Your faithfulness will be my shield and rampart. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. I will only observe with my eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked. I will raise a hallelujah and praise You, “You are my refuge,” and I make You, O Most High, my dwelling, no harm will overtake me, no disaster will come near my home. Because I love You, You will rescue me; You will protect me, for I acknowledge Your name. I call on You, and You answer me; You are with me in trouble, You deliver me and honor me. With long life You satisfy me and show me Your salvation. All praise be to You my King! Amen!


Photo by Luke Tanis on Unsplash

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