Refuge

During these months of plague, chaos, confusion, fear-mongering and overreaching government– one truth remains: GOD IS FAITHFUL.

I have found myself praying through the Psalms these last few weeks– letting them give words to the groans and praise of my heart. It has been a difficult, yet sweet time of encouraging myself in the Lord and hearing him speak words of comfort.

This morning as I was praying through Psalm 9 and had to pause at verses 9-10. “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”.

A refuge for the oppressed and in trouble? That really resonated with the cry of my heart over recent months. I decided to do a Hebrew word study and get some context of what David was thinking–feeling– knowing about our great God.

The word used here for refuge: שׂגב sagav– means to be high up in a refuge in the heavens, a place that is inaccessible. The word for oppressed: עדה adah– means to be crushed under by affliction or to be under a heavy weight.

It is clear that David– and the LORD– want us to remember that GOD alone is our refuge from the enemies trying to crush us—pin us down–or bind us up in fear. It is not only a picture of God surrounding us and protecting us– but of Him personally carrying us up and away from all the oppressive trouble coming against us. Away from the taunts of the enemy seeking to bind us up in dread and fear. He takes us high above the raging storms –above the enemy’s attacks– up to His vantage point. There we can rest in His care and focus on the truth of who He is and who we are in Him.

David also understood that God helped His people–His children who have relationship with Him (know Your name), they have faith in Him (put their trust in You), and they seek Him (who seek You). He reminds us that we can find refuge in seeking Him, in knowing His name. To ‘know Your name’ means to learn God’s character as made known by His acts.

I encourage you to spend some time in Psalm 9– read it through in its context. Let David’s inspired words wash over your heart today.

Our God is a REFUGE! He is mighty to save!