East Rockaway Nazarene

Do you recall a fond memory of when you used to run to your refuge, like a treehouse, whenever you needed to think or hide? I don't know if you ever had a treehouse, but I had the best refuge one could ever want: a secret fort dug into the ground, with an entrance that only a few knew about. It was off the beaten track, deep in the African bush. It was my refuge, my place of hiding in troubled times as a young child.

Unfortunately, I did not have a personal relationship with God at a young age, but this secret fort gave me some comfort. It was later on in my adolescence that I realized how dangerous my fort was. It could easily cave in and it actually did one night after a huge tropical storm. I went to the fort the following day to discover just a hole in the ground. I realized that my refugre was gone because of circumstances beyond my control. There are things that happen in our lives that are outside of our control, but we can be assured that our Heavenly Father knows of these things and we can come to Him for assurance.

In Scriptures, I have come to find peace and comfort during my stormy times. One in particular is Psalm 91, which is an uplifting and encouraging Scripture promising a sense of security and protection from times of illness, loneliness, and the troubles we face in the world today. Psalm 91:1-2  1 Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. 2 Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; You are my God and I trust you."

The blessings promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. At times of excessive strain on your emotional health, and your mental or physical health, we have this wonderful promise from God that every one of us can look to Him for our sustenance and strength. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then He will be your refugre in times of trouble.

We can live under the protection of God Most High and stay in His shadow. Nothing on earth can ever begin to compare with this wonderful peaceful experience. Because of God's rich grace, we can continously commune with God, abiding in Christ, and Christ in us. We possess the rare and special benefits which are missed by those who follow Christ, yet do not abide in Him completely.

It is easy to just say, "I believe in Christ as my personal Savior", or "I have a relationship with Him", and to confess that the LORD is a refuge. But when we say He is my refuge, it is the essence of consolation. We are quick to confess our doubts, fears, concerns, and frustrations, but when it comes to confessing that God is our refuge and fortress, we tend to forget in whom we trust.

Let everyone confess their fears and concerns, but as for us Christ followers, let us be bold and confess that He alone is our strength and refuge. Our actions must speak louder than our words. During times of trouble, let us fly to the Lord. Just as the bird flies away to the thicket, and the fox runs to its' hole - every creature uses its' refuge in the hour of danger.

Let's rejoice that our position is unassailable! For Christ is our fortress as well as our refuge. No moat, wall, battlement, or dungeon, could make us so secure as we are when the attributes of the Lord of Hosts environs us. 

Our fortress is impregnable. We must trust in Him! We will live in complete peace. Let us pray and ask God for the grace we need to sustain us and say, "In Him will I trust."