Blessed Because of His Refuge

⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed are they who take refuge in him.                                                           – Psalm 34:8
 

A refuge is a happy place.  When you’re crushed, you go there for relief.  When you’re afraid, you go there to think a little more clearly.  When you’re sick of painting on a happy face for everyone, you go there to just be yourself.  

TERRIBLE things come when your refuge is sinful.   When just one person takes refuge by feeding their addiction to alcohol, drugs or sex, how many others are sure to get wounded?  It gets exponentially worse when people participate in addictions together.  When someone is consoling themselves with greed, what’s going to happen when anyone becomes their new friend?  If your place of refuge is plotting to get even, more scattering is sure to follow. 

Don’t believe Satan’s lies.  Don’t swallow that sinful places of refuge are the real deal.  They’re just cubic zirconium, and not real diamonds.  A cheap imitation.  Instead, taste and see that the LORD is good.  Blessed are they who take refuge in him.

Run to the refuge of Jesus’ peace.  He has cut your guilt loose from your conscience by his blood.  Run to his refuge and be yourself.  He knows all about your garbage, and that only tugs on him to give you all he has.  Cry on his shoulder.  Thank him for today.  Trust that he will always love you, and have confidence that it won’t always be like this.  Some day, he will take you to his heavenly mansions.  That’ll be the ultimate refuge, won’t it?

The one who trusts in the LORD is never put to shame.  Blessed are they who take refuge in him.

Prayer: Almighty Father, look with compassion on me when my heart is heavy with anxiety.  Have mercy on me, and lead me to trust in your timing.  Prevent me from ever taking refuge in sinful thoughts, selfish words, or deceptive actions.  Encourage me with your eternal promises, that I might endure this time of uncertainty with courage, serenity and acceptance.  Give me the confidence that you will work all things for the good of those who love you, all the time, in every circumstance.  Amen.