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When Refuge Is Not a Place

Mon, 2017-09-11 11:11 -- Jocelyn Green

I don't know about you, but I've been holding my breath for days as we've watched Hurricane Irma pummel across Florida, affecting many family members and close friends. This morning I learned that our loved ones are unharmed, and their property has minimal damage, but they are still waiting for power. 

But before that, there were, and still are, the wildfires in the northwest to be concerned about. And we can't forget about those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Rebuilding after fires and hurricanes will be tough work, and for a very long time.

And now we find ourselves on September 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. that plunged our nation into more than a decade of war and deployments. When we consider all of these events in such quick succession, it's easy to be overwhelmed, isn't it? 

The word "refuge" has been on my heart lately, for a few reasons. First, I've been editing the galleys for my next novel, A Refuge Assured. But the concept of refuge has been a very real one as we've had natural disasters displace so many Americans lately. There are almost one hundred references to "refuge" in the Bible, but I want to share just one of them with you today.

Psalm 73:28. "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." 

Normally we think of refuge as a physical location of safety. A haven, where nothing can harm the one who shelters there. The verse above reveals more layers of meaning to the word:

1) To be near God is to make Him our refuge. No matter where we are, whether we are in harm's way or time zones away from physical danger, we can dwell in the Lord by trusting His promises.

2) Our refuge is not just the Lord, but the Sovereign Lord. A turn in the hurricane's path may take the Weather Channel by surprise. A terrorist attack may catch us unaware. But God is still on His throne, and nothing surprises Him. He is never disoriented and at a loss as to how best to care for His beloved. He is sovereign.

3) There is a natural connection between taking refuge in God, and telling of all His deeds. On 9-11, we tell stories of where we were on this day in 2001, don't we? We remember the fallen. We thank those who served on that dreadful day and who continue to serve us. We #NeverForget because that day was so significant for us as a nation, and for many of us, it changed us personally, too. (I share my story here.) In the same way, reminding ourselves and each other of how the Lord has already provided for us in the past reminds us that He has proven faithful. He has been our refuge in the past, and He won't stop caring for us now. 

Please understand that I don't mean to minimize any of the hardships you might be experiencing. Far from it. I'm praying for your physical needs, whether it's related to a recent disaster, or it's a chronic illness, or a military deployment, or the loss of a loved one. I'm also praying that in the midst of it all, you will be near God, as the psalmist wrote. That His presence will wrap around you, whatever your circumstances may be. I pray His peace and comfort will be made known to you, surpassing all understanding.

About the Author: 

Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. As a speaker, Jocelyn inspires faith and courage in her audiences. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

Comments

Submitted by Paula Bicknell on
I love this, Jocelyn! And it's so timely with all the natural and unnatural disasters going on in our world. Thank you for reminding me that God is our refuge. Sending you a warm hug of thanks.

Submitted by Jocelyn Green on
You are so welcome, Paula. It's disconcerting that we have so many reasons to seek refuge--but then again, it's a humbling reminder of our dependence on God for hope and breath itself. Hugging you right back.

Submitted by Betti on
Thanks for sharing, Jocelyn. With all that is happening around us and in our own lives, it is so very important to remember where our refuge is!

Submitted by Jocelyn Green on
Yes! It's a reminder worth pondering daily, isn't it? Thanks so much for being here, Betti.

Submitted by Jocelyn Green on
Kathleen, I'm sorry for whatever circumstance/hardships you're experiencing right now, but so glad if this was some encouragement for you. Thanks for being here!

Submitted by Shirley M Ashley on
Thanks for that reminder with Words of encouragement and hope. We do find all our peace in His embrace. Sometimes we forget and run around in a frantic looking for peace. The whole time, He is right here! Waiting patiently for us to take our eyes off the crisis and focus back on Him. The comfort is real. Thanks again and have a blessed day!

Submitted by Marcia Street on
Thanks for those very timely words. God is not only our refuge but a sure foundation and rock. All of which mean something solid, something we can depend on.

Submitted by Jocelyn Green on
Absolutely. He is all of that and more. One of my kids' assignments for school this week was to learn a dozen different names for God, an exercise that was refreshing for me, too. Every one of His names carries such power. Thanks for being here, Marcia!

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