My Refuge
Psalms 46:1
1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Ko'-rah, A Song upon Al'-a-moth.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. KJV
Psalms 23:3
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. KJV
Psalms 57:1
1 To the chief Musician, Al-tas'-chith, Mich'-tam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my
refuge, until these calamities be overpast. KJV
Psalms 59:16
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the
day of my trouble. KJV
Psalms 9:9
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. KJV
All of these passages of scripture have use of the word refuge.
A word of particular interest to me being a person who often seeks for and has need of a refuge. Each usage of the word refuge in
these verses has a different meaning and we need to understand these meanings. For it seems that which we have an
understanding of is more accessible to us and called upon more often. I have seen through the years many of the saints of God
being in the trial of their faith, worn down by the adversary, give up and quit the good fight of faith because they knew not or
understood not of their refuge. Believe me, no matter how great the man or woman of faith may be in their faith, there will come the
day they must go to their refuge or perish.
Let's begin with Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" The meaning here is shelter and
hope. The Lord say's come into my presence in all your trouble for I am present to shelter you while I restore your hope. And hope
must be constant in order for faith to work. For hope is the foundation of faith. No hope, no need for faith.
Psalms 23:3 “He restoreth my soul” or He restores my hope when I rely on him as my shepherd.
The frustrations of what, when, where, and how cease, when I just enter the refuge through my shepherd for my hope is in him, not
the what, when, where and how. Too many lose hope because they lose sight of the great Shepard, their refuge.
Then there is
Psalms 57:1 BE MERCIFUL unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I
make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. The meaning here is protection and someone to confide in. No matter what
your calamities may be, God is your refuge for protection and your trust worthy confidant. What a combination. When the psalmist
ask for mercy in the beginning of this verse it is an indication that he may be in sin and needs the mercy of God which will allow
him protection while he confidently talks things over with God and redirects his life through repentance and forgiveness.
Sometimes it is sin in our life which hinders the blessings of God so needed for our daily being and welfare.
Isn't it wonderful to have that refuge of protection from the thief that so desires to kill, steal and destroy while we talk things over
with God and get the blessings flowing again.
Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. KJV
Next there is
Psalms 59:16
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the
day of my trouble. KJV
Here refuge means a retreat or a place to flee to. I love the part of this verse when he says" I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the
morning: It means the midnight hour has past, I by the mercy have made it through the night, I have not been consumed, I live
because in my midnight hour, in the midst of my greatest conflict I had a retreat to flee to. Almighty God! He is my refuge! My
defense and defender. That is what a retreat is all about. Someone else pulls your slack and watches your back while you rest and
regroup .Who’s got your back and pulling your slack?
Isaiah 58:8
8 Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring
forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you
[conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. [Ex 14:19,20; Isa 52:12.] AMP. Wow
no one takes care of my back like God
John 16:7
7 However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away.
Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you
[into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. AMP
You guys rest, the great I AM is pulling your slack and holding your back.
And then there is
Psalms 9:9 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble.
The meaning here is defense or a place totally inaccessible for anyone except the children of God. We are in our high tower; I am
sheltered safely in the arms of God out of reach of the oppressor. Naught of the thief, the killer or the destroyer can reach me
here! How did I get here?
Psalms 34:6
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. KJV
Of all the things I miss about my mother and father it is that total sense of being out of reach of all that would harm me when they
put their arms around me and pulled me close. They are gone on to heaven but our heavenly Father who set the example for
them to follow is still here. The song says I am sheltered safe in the arms of God.