SWEET REFUGE

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

These days in our country, there has been a great need for places of refuge. I think back to the fires that swept through our national park the end of November 2016. The fires were not just in the park but due to very high winds, caused fires to spread to homes and businesses, causing havoc, destruction and death. Today, fires are ravaging areas in California and Montana is still in recovery mode from massive fires. On top of fires, parts of our country have gone through hurricanes that have caused great loss of property, possessions and even death.

People in these areas initially had a common need. They needed, in the midst of losing everything, a place to go, even a place from the danger of continuing threats. We heard of schools, athletic complexes, community centers and other places with lots of space, opening their doors to those folks in need...the need of a safe place to be. Initially, in all of the fear, there is always a need for safety...safety for oneself and family. In a state of shock, such victims can only think of one thing...survival. We have then watched organizations from all parts of our great country come into these devastated areas with much needed supplies of every kind.

Unknowing to most children, the make good use of places of refuge more than they understand. Perhaps the needed refuge at the time wouldn't seem all that important to grown ups. At the age of four, I packed my doll suitcase with my doll, her clothes and my pj's. I was upset with my mother so went two doors down to old Mrs. Rennie's house. Told her I wanted to live with her. She fed me cookies and milk, gave me a talking to and sent me back home. I remember feeling warm and fuzzy with her. There was no danger in my own house but for the moment, Mrs. Rennie was a refuge. How many children get into scraps with neighbor kids and are very glad they can run to their own house where no one can get to them.

As adults we have sought emotional refuge in necessary places at times. One of our greatest places of refuge is our church where we can go and be away from the outside world concentrating only on the things of the Lord. Some adults, though, find refuge in bad habits, unhealthy habits and often in people who themselves are not reliable influences.

In Numbers 35, we find a system God established simply referred to as “Cities of Refuge.” The Lord provided six cities where those people guilty of accidental murder could go for refuge from the victim's family until a trial could be held. Back then, when a family member was killed, a family didn't wait on a trial whether the death was accidental or intended. Their system unlike ours, was swift with taking care of someone who had killed a family member. There were no lawyers, juries, appeals or prison sentences. A family carried out their own sentence in quick fashion. So these cities served a positive purpose in such matters.

You and I are no longer children, we may not not have just gone through a disaster of any kind, nor have we murdered anyone. What I've been mentioning has to do with real places of need, whether centuries ago or this last week.

The best refuge you and I as Christians are privileged to have is our refuge in God. It may not be a physical place as we think of places. However, I hasten to add that there have been many times when I know through God's guidance, I have been provided with places of refuge that were as real as the house I now live in.

The Lord will be

a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 9:9

A refuge is of no use be it a place in a community center or in the loving arms of our Savior if we don't flee to it and take advantage of what each refuge offers. God's promises in His Word of His constant presence in our lives to almost too many to count. In our humanity though, He is often the last one we flee to in our worst of times.

In our opening verse, I love all of that verse but especially the first two words...”God is...” Without the fact of those two words, the rest of that verse is meaningless. My prayer for each of us is to always be quick to flee to THE refuge, God Himself, who is the only one who can do anything and everything to meet our every need.

Dear Father, my Refuge...I am so grateful for the privilege of running to You anytime whether in a time of need or just when I need to bask in Your presence. Thank You Jesus, for making this relationship possible through Your dying for my sin that has provided me with real life to it's fullest. In Your precious name....Amen