Papa JoeMac's Corner Commentary - #33
In The Lord I Take Refuge (The Lord Is My Strength)
Psalm 18, 19:1-4
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Many times in our lives we yearn for refuge. The dictionary defines ‘refuge’ as a shelter from danger or trouble. My favorite definition is: Anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief or escape. Growing up as a child, I was extremely blessed. My Mom was a stay-at-home Mom who didn’t work outside the house. My Dad was a good provider and loved his family. I never had to worry about my Mom and Dad getting a divorce. Do you know what teen aged children worry about the most in our day and age? They fear their parents will get a divorce. They fear they’ll lose the safety, the ‘refuge’ of their home. Most people don’t believe me when I say this but I never, in my entire life, heard my Mom and Dad argue. I realize that it’s impossible for a couple not to have disagreements but my Mom and Dad had all their disagreements somewhere else other than within ear shot of my sister and I. Growing up – my home with my family was my refuge – I felt completely safe.
When I left home, I quickly realized how the world operated. No longer could I walk into the bedroom and talk with my Dad about what was bothering me. No longer could I depend on my Dad for his advice. No longer could I depend on my Mom to handle all the details (clean clothes, food in the refrigerator, etc.). No longer could I blame stuff on my little sister. Yep, the day I left home to make my own way in the world, I realized the “refuge” I had grown to know was temporary. As the years have passed, my Dad has gone on to Heaven and the responsibility to care for my Mom has fallen to me. The weird thing is that now, I am my Mom’s ‘refuge’. I am in constant amazement of how God uses earthly situations to teach us heavenly truths. I became a Christian when I was 21 years old and only then did I begin to understand what a ‘refuge’ was.
Believers, because of our seeking God’s refuge, have been called weaklings. Some non-believers view God simply as a ‘crutch’ for Believers – and that is fine with me. I confess here and now, I need God and if some call Him my crutch – then so be it. God gives me His refuge. But, God does not want us Believers to remain weak. He gives us His strength so that we can come to Him for guidance, safety, reassurance, and power. He then expects us to take His message into an evil world to fight for him. He continues grow us and mature us.
When I think of a non-believer’s view of God’s refuge, I find it sad that mankind, in our seemingly unlimited capacity for Pride, could actually believe that we are in control and we need no refuge. God is our refuge - our Fortress of protection, our Rock for stability, our Shield to deflect harm, our Strength and Source of our salvation, and a Stronghold from our enemies. Again, praise God for His unlimited love and grace!
In the Psalms verses, King David called God the “Most High”. In David’s day, the land was filled with pagan worship. There was a ‘deity’ for almost everything: the seas, the sun, the moon, fertility goddesses, etc. King David knew that all these false gods for what they were – false. King David also knew all the idols of that time for what they were – pieces of wood and stone crafted by the hands of man. King David knew the idols were powerless – powerless to cure, powerless to provide refuge – they could do nothing. How many of your possessions do you put your faith in? Does your house give you the feeling of safety? Do you have a luxury automobile that gives you a warm feeling every time you sit in it? Are ‘things’ your idols – your source of refuge. King David understood fully that God alone had rescued him from his enemies when he was defenseless. David was not a coward; he was a mighty warrior who, even with all his armies and weapons, King David realized that only God could ultimately protect and save him.
Remember that God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but He doesn’t promise to eliminate them. If he gave us no rough roads to walk, no mountains to climb, and no battles to fight, we would not grow. He does not leave us alone with our challenges, however. Instead, he stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them. Face your challenges with the comfort in knowing that God is your refuge. He is your safe haven. He is your source of strength and comfort. God will protect you. In today’s wicked world, God alone is the only One who can promise you protection.
- - - Mr. Joseph Mcklemurry received his Masters in Biblical Studies with Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana and is an ordained minister serving as a praise and worship leader with Beautiful Feet Church in Fort Worth, Texas. |
