GOD KEEPS US SAFE

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV

PROMISE KEYWORD

refuge–shelter or protection from danger or distress; haven, retreat, sanctuary

Kids have so much fun building forts out of sofa cushions and blankets. When ours were little, we would come home from date-night to a living room full of every blanket in the house, cushions and pillows everywhere, and giggling boys. I remember building them when I was younger, too. Being covered and protected in these cozy shelters gave me a deep sense of security mixed with the excitement of being hidden from view.

Maybe that’s what refuge means. Surrounded, yet so incredibly free at the same time.

Refuge can be as protective as the cave that King David hid inside, a building downtown with a free bed on a cold night, the spare room at a friend’s house, or the keep of a castle. Refuge can also be as peaceful as a bench by the water, a walk in the woods, a cup of hot tea, or a few minutes of solitude in a busy house before the day begins.

We all need a peaceful, protected spot to retreat to–a place where we can be taken care of and strengthened so we can make it through the hard stuff.  But we don’t live in a castle, we can’t always get outside to a peaceful spot, and we are probably a bit beyond the age of making forts with the couch cushions. Places of refuge are sometimes hard to find.

But Jesus isn’t. He is right here.

I love thinking of Jesus as our refuge. Our shelter, our retreat, our hiding place away from all the demands and pressures and worries of each day. This promise reminds us that he is ever-present. He is everywhere we are, and everywhere we’re going. Just knowing that we can say his name anytime and picture him ahead of us, behind us, and all around us can give us strength and calm. Sometimes it can even give us that almost-giddy, hiding-in-the-sofa-cushions feeling of freedom and fun.

Whether we are in a time of crisis or just dealing with everyday stress, let’s remember that we have an arms-open, mercy-providing, fiercely-protective God.  He welcomes us in, wraps us up in his protective care, and breathes into us the restoration and the refreshment that we so desperately need.

Dear Jesus, will you be my safe place right now? My heart doesn’t feel secure, and I want to find my peace in you. I need to feel your strong protection and your unconditional love. Thank you for your ever-present help. Amen.

TAKE YOUR TICKET:

GOD KEEPS US SAFE

Crawl into his presence and let him protect you from all the chaos and stress in your world.  The noise can come and go while you take some deep breaths and rest in his arms. You can count on him to be your refuge and your strength.