Post #40 -- The Ultimate Refuge

Most people, I believe, whether they admit it or not, are in pursuit of a safe place—a place where they can escape the rigors of life when those overwhelming difficulties set in. For some, it might be an immersion in the job or total isolation from people or a long unscheduled vacation or a long phone call with a friend.

For others, as the difficulties grow, that safe place might become an unhealthy escape into drugs, heavy alcoholism, or even suicide.  Each person is looking for that safe place—“a refuge”.

WHAT IS A REFUGE?

Webster suggests that a refuge is a “shelter or protection from danger or distress; something to which one has recourse in difficulty.”

For example, the Hebrew word for refuge, “machaceh,” refers to a shelter from storms and danger.  This shelter is like the bunkers that many Israeli families have in their homes today to shelter them from small scale attacks.

Each of us, especially in times of difficulty, is in search of that protective shelter—that place of refuge.  

THE REFUGE OF SOME PEOPLE

It’s interesting to peruse the Internet to observe what some people consider to be their place of refuge.

“My dreams were all my own; I accounted for them to nobody; they were my refuge when annoyed - my dearest pleasure when free.” (Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” (Albert Schweitzer)

“My house is my refuge, an emotional piece of architecture, not a cold piece of convenience.” (Luis Barragan)

“Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow.” (Oscar Wilde)

“In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.” (Aristotle)

“The last refuge of the insomniac is a sense of superiority to the sleeping world.” (Leonard Cohen)

Interesting, but hardly what we’re talking about here!  As followers of Jesus, we have a much better refuge—an “ultimate refuge.”

THE ULTIMATE REFUGE

I’ve recently been impressed by the vast number of times the concept of “refuge in God,” or a similar phrase, is used in Scripture—many times throughout the psalms, but also in other places.  I don’t think I’ve noticed this before and wonder why.  I hate to admit it, but I suspect that in those earlier years I simply did not sense a need for a refuge as I do today.

Verses like these now jump off the pages of Scripture at me as I see much more clearly that God is our Ultimate Refuge:

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you”  (Psalm 5:11 NIV).

“Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me”  (Psalm 7:1 NIV).

“Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes”  (Psalm 17:7 NIV).

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”  (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

“The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned”  (Psalm 34:22 NIV).

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7 NIV).

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”  (Psalm 62:8 NIV).

So to seek refuge is to seek a place of safety and shelter.  This involves acknowledging that we are needy people who look beyond ourselves for care and protection.  Wherever we are in life’s journey, we all have been in seasons where we find ourselves in desperate need in one way or another.  We have all faced the pain of broken relationships, the anxiety of a disappointing job, the loss of a friend, or the fear that comes from a long-term illness.

It seems that the more demanding the journey, the greater is our need for this refuge for our weary souls. 

WHAT THIS REFUGE MEANS TO ME

I’ve found it helpful to ponder the question: What does this refuge mean to me?  Here’s what I think I’ve found.

It’s a place for hope when there are no answers.  This is very important to me.  I typically struggle with unanswered questions.  To me, problems are meant to be solved and questions are meant to be answered.  But that simply does not always happen. I believe in medical science.  But doctors, by their own admission, simply do not have all the answers.  But praise God, I can go to Him for answers.  I trust God does not get tired of my frequent requests: “God, help me understand what you are telling me here.”  This is not to suggest that every request gets answered, but many do.  And somehow the conversation with God usually makes the unanswered questions become less demanding and critical.  

It’s a place for a calm quietness when my mind is racing needlessly. A verse that I’ve often quoted throughout these posts is Psalm 119:114 TPT: “You’re my place of quiet retreat and your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your Word.”  I greatly value that “quiet retreat” as I wrap myself in God’s Word.  There my mind slows down; I relax and enjoy the quietness.  I friend of mine often reminds me to simply “enjoy God.”  Here in this refuge of quiet retreat I can simply enjoy God and deeply trust Him!

It’s a place for rest when I’m wondering if I can go another step.  Some days the journey is physically, emotionally, and even spiritually fatiguing.  That refuge is a place for rest.  When my mind is racing at night, I focus on Psalm 4:8 — “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  I am also constantly reminding God of His promise of 2 Thessalonians 3:26 — “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.  The Lord be with you all.”

It’s a place for friendship when other friends are not available.  I know I’m loved by many people.  But I also know they are busy and are not able to meet all of my deep needs.  But Jesus can meet those needs.  Proverbs 18:24 tells us — “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Jesus is that friend!  Plus He’s a “best friend” who is always with me. He’s constantly with me wherever I go!

It’s a place where I find hope when all looks hopeless.  I am always encouraged by Hebrews 6:18b-19 — “Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”  

I can have GREAT CONFIDENCE in this hope.  This hope, because of Jesus, is the anchor for my soul.

It’s a place where I can sing without breath. I enjoy singing, but reduced wind in my lungs makes physical singing difficult.  But I’ve discovered I can really enjoy coming into the presence of the Lord listening to one of the songs that I’ve logged onto my iPhone.  I can tap into one of those songs on a moment’s notice— songs like: “One Pair of Hands” by Carroll Roberson, “Great Are You Lord” by All Sons and Daughters, and “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” by CityAlight.  These moments are a thrill for me.  I’m hoping to soon write a post on “The Gift of Music” and address more deeply the value of these and many more songs.  Also in quiet-time recently, a verse jumped off the page of Scripture to me — Psalm 114:1, “My heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul”.  I can sing to the Lord with my soul, not just my audible words!  In other words, my ability to sing is not dependent on my breath!  Praise God!  It would be fun to unpack that thought a bit more in a future post.

It’s a place where I feel deeply valued and loved.  This makes it seem like I feel unloved and that is certainly not the case.  But as I’ve addressed in previous posts, there is something special about being able to come into the presence of my Father, the King of the universe.  I know that if everything else in life goes wrong and falls apart, there, as the son of the King, I will be deeply valued and loved.  

It’s a place where I can find comfort when in deep sorrow.  2 Corinthians 1:3 tells us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  Here I am comforted!

As I write all this, the question occurs to me: Why in the world would anyone choose not to “run to” this refuge?  Could it be because we’re too proud to admit we need His help?  Or are we too busy doing other things to think about Him? Or is it because we simply don’t have the faith that He wants to be our refuge? 

CAN I THRIVE WITH GOD AS MY REFUGE?

Earlier in this chapter, I admitted that I wondered why the thought of God being my refuge was not impressed on my heart years ago. I now think I know at least part of the answer to that question. Very simply, I think it’s because my eternal perspective was quite different then and I simply did not understand the concept of God as my Ultimate Refuge then. But now, older and wiser, and continuing to advance on my IPF medical journey with my ultimate destination closer than ever, God is becoming more and more real as my Ultimate Refuge. And on that day when I finally see him Him face-to-face, I will truly experience Him as my Ultimate Refuge in a way I have never ever known before! 

So can I THRIVE with God as my refuge?  I certainly can!  It’s here in this refuge that, right now, I can rise above the issues of life and THRIVE to His glory — and I can especially THRIVE as I anticipate the Ultimate Refuge with my Lord in heaven for eternity.