A Refuge like None Other!!

By Helen Jesze, 23^rd September 2023

“Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah… Be still and know that I am God; … The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

— Psalm 46:2,3,10a,11 KJV

“The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

— Deuteronomy 33:27a

The little bird at the top with his message of Ps. 46:1 was sent to me by a friend, some time ago and I liked it so much, I used it as a screensaver on my computer. This and the following verses have been ringing in my spirit this week. Many times in our lives we need to find refuge; it may be mental, emotional, spiritual or even physical refuge we need. The Universal Dictionary tells us that a refuge is a protection, a shelter from danger or hardship. A place providing protection, a haven or sanctuary. Anything to which one may turn for help, relief or escape.

I have a friend who runs a Home or ‘Refuge’ for women who are victims of domestic violence. This is a ‘physical’ refuge, where the women find healing, are protected, offered a home, clothes, given practical help until they are able to be on their own, and leave to start a new life.

David the Shepherd Boy wrote this Psalm. Hounded and chased for years by King Saul, he had so often needed a refuge, and through personal experience, he could say that GOD had been his greatest refuge. God had been a present help, a help when he had needed it, not just a help promised years ahead, but God had so often heard his cry and stepped in, giving him victory. I am sure that many of us can say the same thing, that God has been our refuge, our strong tower, our arm of protection, and when we have been weak, vulnerable, sick or in grief, we have felt those everlasting arms holding us up, as Moses wrote in Deuteronomy.

I wonder why David wrote about the earth shaking, waters roaring and mountains being moved. Perhaps he was speaking prophetically of what would often happen in the world, earthquakes and floods, Tsunamis, for although there had been Noah’s flood, the Bible does not tell us that there had been any earthquakes which he would know about. We are clearly told that in “The Last Days” there will be an increase of ecological catastrophes. Watching the News this week, with over 9000 people dying in floods in Libya where storm Daniel has ravaged their country, or the earthquakes in Morocco and Turkey are just some recent examples.

Twice David puts in the word “Selah” which means “Pause and think of that, meditate on this truth”. He describes God as The Lord of Hosts, the Great One who will lead his armies to victory, overcoming every enemy. He also reminds God of His Covenant with His People Israel, when he calls Him “the God of Jacob”. Just as God has made a Covenant with the physical nation of Israel, He has also made a Blood Covenant with his Church today – the born-again Believers worldwide, because of what his Son, Jesus, did on the cross of Calvary.

I do not know what your situation is today. Everything may be going along just wonderfully, or you may be in great difficulty and need a refuge to hide in. The arms of your Lord are open wide to receive you! Hide in Him today! If you find yourself in that position like David, run into God your refuge! Sometimes in trouble we run away from God in shame or discouragement, but that is the very time to run to Him!

Moses reminds us that He is the “Eternal God” . Hebrews 13:8 tells us – “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever.” So we know the promise stands true today, for He is the Unchanging One. He will be the mighty strength which we need, hiding us until every storm is past! You can experience it again right now!