Devotions: the Blessing of Refuge

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

David began this psalm talking about his praise and adoration for God; how he boasted only in God, how he worshipped Him continually and invited everyone to praise God with him. He then talked about how God had delivered and provided for him, all the times he was in need (which were many and dire) and God was there to get him through. Any who trusted in the Lord would be supported and not fall or abandoned, rather they would shine with radiance. The Lord is good! All the time! How happy are those who take refuge in Him. A refuge, back in that time, was a fortress, a strong, defensible place where people would go to hide from oppressors, often a cave high in the mountains. It was a safety zone. We are blessed if God is our refuge, if we go to Him for safety, if we rest in Him when we are afraid, if He is our strong tower. He will not disappoint. He is called our Provider and Deliverer. That is Who He is, not just what He does. So often we try to do it on our own rather than “bother” God. We think that we should try to take care of it ourselves first. But really God wants us to go to Him first. We were made to be dependent on Him. Many times we go to someone or something else instead of God. We go to our spouse, our parents, our pastors, our friends. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from them, but we need to go to God first. Some even go to substances or activities when they feel the pressures of life. That is when the things we enjoy become idols. We need to go to God first, anything that comes before Him is an idol, a rival to God. Ironically, no person, substance, activity, nothing can compare to God, nothing can give us the help He can. They will all let us down. But if we go to God we will be safe. If we stay in Him we will be even safer! Make God your constant refuge and be blessed!