Refuge

2 Samuel 22: 31

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

I want you to know that God has provided protection for you nine ways from Sunday. Everywhere you look in His word has the promise of His protection. He is a refuge, a shield, a strong fortress. He sends angels to look after you. He has sent His son and now He has sent His Holy Spirit. Everything He is and has is laid at your feet.

Now here is the rub. There always seems to be a contributory factor for which we are responsible. Last week’s scripture told us to listen to Him and that those who do shall live securely. Today’s scripture tells us that we must take refuge in Him for His protection to operate for us. Now this isn’t meant so that you can become confounded, frustrated and worried. It really is as simple as His building a fortress for you and you deciding whether or not you will avail yourself of it.

Imagine medieval times and God has built a strong, walled city. Some people build their homes outside the city walls though. None the less, in times of trouble they are allowed, even expected to withdraw within the protective walls of the city. This is such a good image of the protection the Lord has provided. Some people actually are going to choose to sit outside as marauding invaders approach rather than take advantage of the protection provided for them. Is that nuts? And then when those brigands fall on them, who do the people blame? They blame God, of course? You hear it all of the time. “Why did God let this happen to us?” He didn’t. He provided a fortified city for you to dwell in. It is not His fault if we are too proud or foolish to avail ourselves of it.

We must look to the Lord as our fortress and our refuge in times of need. If we constantly look to the things of the world for protection and to solve our problems, then we are effectively shutting God out. It is like sitting outside the gates. Just run into His city and allow Him to defend you. Look to Him instead of governments and other human agencies to be your guard. When you see a threat on the horizon, talk to Him first. He has already prepared an answer for you. He loves you and wants to help you in all things.