Month: July 2021

“I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress; my God; on Him will I trust.” The assurance coming from these words carries faith to a new dimension. In view of the continuous storm before us, with no relieve in sight. Faith, however, arising to the occasion, lifts and delivers the faithful one to a new height- closer to God, and under His wings, a refuge is certain to protect us. David sought a hiding place in a cave to escape from King Saul. But that did not constitute a refuge for him. From there he cried to God saying, I cried to You, O Lord; I said, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living; attend to my loud cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I; cause me to hear You loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way where I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You (Ps.  142-143).

Those who wait for the Lord, Isaiah wrote, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up to God; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Isaiah 40:31). Close to God, yes in the place of refuge, where we can hear His voice, assuring us of His presence and protection; where our prayers will be heard and answered; where no troubles around will harm us, for they are voided of power. In the Secret Place of God, there shall be no fear of evil, for He covers us with His pinions, and under His wings we find our refuge in times of trouble. No pestilence, no destruction and sudden death shall affect us in any way. The refuge is a place to grow in faith and in knowledge of God. We may witness the evil taking roots in many ways, but it will not withstand God’s power. Be still and know Who God is.  He is our refuge and strength, a very present and well-proved help in trouble. No matter if the earth change, the mountains shake into the midst of the sea; if the water roar and foam; if the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult (Ps. 91, 46:1-3 paraphrased).

The word refuge is a word that gives us the sense of security, when we are going through danger of any kind. It is a place of comfort and safety. The most secure place available as our refuge is in the secret place of the Most High- under the shadow of His wings. One might think, How do I get there? Or Where is that place, invisible it is to me. To all of us, as a matter of fact, this place, my friend is found in your faith, for faith elevates us to God’s presence no matter the circumstances we face. It is a shield of protection against any weapon coming our way, even today’s weapon, the covid-19, followed by its vaccine. Both humanly created for a purpose of destruction of the human race. The spirit of fear has been hovering its stings around the world since then. Our refuge is not found in the vaccine, but in God, Who has never left us forsaken. He is just a call away. He said, He shall call Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble (Ps. 91:15). Calling on His name brings salvation to all who calls on Him. What does the Lord promise when we make Him our refuge?  There shall no evil come near your tent, for He will give His angels charge over you to accompany and defend and protect you in all your ways; they shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample under foot. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him, I will set him on high because he knows and understands my name; he shall call upon Me and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver and honor him; with long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation (Ps. 91:9-16).