Psalms 91:4 - Refuge

He will cover you with his feathers,
     and under his wings you will find refuge;
     his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Sometimes we just want to feel safe. We want to feel wanted, comforted and at home. God is that safe haven for us. He is our refuge. He will always accept us, no matter what, no matter what we have done, no matter who we have hurt, no matter who has hurt us, God will take us in. When we give up and give in to him, we have found our refuge.

Lord, thank you for being our refuge. Help us to give in to you. Amen,

Psalm 62:8 - I Trust You God

Trust in him at all times, you people;
     pour out your hearts to him,
     for God is our refuge.

Sometimes my mind just races 1000 miles an hour. It seems impossible to sit quietly and focus on God. Sometimes I am anxious about something and can't seem to focus on anything else. A wise teacher once told me to use a mantra. For me he chose, "I trust you God." In those moments when my mind is racing, I just repeat this over and over in my head. God is my refuge!

Lord, thank you for being our refuge. Please help us to trust you at all times. Amen.

Psalm 59:16 - Ending with praise

But I will sing of your strength,
     in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
     my refuge in times of trouble.

As happens many times in the Psalms, this Psalm is about David's enemies trying to kill him, but always, without fail, he ends his songs with praise and trust. He is secure in the Lord.

Lord, thank you for being our fortress and refuge. Please help us to always sing praise to you in all circumstances. Amen.

Psalm 31:19 - Good things

How abundant are the good things
     that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
     on those who take refuge in you.

God has plans and blessings for us. That doesn't mean we won't have hard times, but God wants to bestow good things upon us. When we fear God and take refuge in him, he will bless us. The good times seem better and the bad times don't seem as bad when we rely on God. Those around us will notice and it will be a witness for God.

Lord, thank you for the good things you have stored up for us. Please help us to fear you and take refuge in you. Amen.

Psalm 11:1 - Take refuge in the Lord

In the Lord I take refuge.
     How then can you say to me:
     “Flee like a bird to your mountain.

When I read this verse I was struck by the beauty of the phrase "Flee like a bird to your mountain," the I remembered the hymn with this title. I read the hymn and I think this verse and hymn don't really match up. The hymn is beautiful and has a good message, but in this verse, David is upset because of this statement and the two following verses. David plans to take refuge in the Lord, not retreat as he is being counseled to do,

Lord, thank you for offering us a place of refuge. Help us to trust in you always and not flee when things get difficult. Amen.

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Joel 3:16 - The Lord is a refuge

The Lord will roar from Zion

     and thunder from Jerusalem;

     the earth and the heavens will tremble.

But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,

     a stronghold for the people of Israel.

All around us bad things are happening and the causes are countless. It might be the fault of our family, friends, neighbors, city/state/national governments, the weather, society, political groups, etc. It might be our own fault. It might be Satan's fault. It might be God's fault. Regardless of where the trouble comes from, we do not have to be afraid. God is our refuge. We can always take shelter and rest in him. Peace is always available in every circumstance.

Lord, thank you for being our refuge. We know in this life there will be trouble, please help us to take shelter in you. Amen.