God, my Rock and my Refuge!
In life, we cross paths with different kinds of people. Some we can remember with affection and some with pain. Some we cannot forget for their positive impact, and some for their negative impact! When we remember some, without our knowledge, a smile breaks out on our faces, but tears swell in our eyes when we remember some! This is not just my experience with friends and colleagues alone. Sometimes, we have such experiences even with family members! We can quickly identify with David, who said, "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Ps 41:9). Such experiences are very stressful for me. My blood pressure increases, and my head feels light. My heart pounds out of control! In such times, my only refuge is my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! I close my eyes and put my head on His shoulder, and immediately, my heart slows down, and I feel better. I believe the Lord takes my burden upon His shoulders! So I can confidently join with David and say, He is my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually. He is my Rock and my fortress (Psalm 71:3).
David experienced many hardships from people close to him. The king whom David honored and served sought to kill him. If God had not intervened, Saul would have killed David in Samuel's home (1 Sam 19:18-24). David's son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar incurring the wrath of Absalom, her brother. Absalom waited two years and then avenged Tamar by sending his servants to murder Amnon at a feast to which Absalom had invited all of King David's sons. Later, David's son, Absalom, sought to kill David, and David had to flee Jerusalem! No wonder David sought refuge in his God, his Rock, his fortress and his deliverer (2 Sam 22:2). No wonder David declared, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Ps 18:2). When the Amalekites raided Ziklag, David was greatly distressed, for the people wanted to stone him. But the Bible says, "…David strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (2 Samuel 30:6). In all the trying situations, the Lord was David's refuge, and I believe He is ours too!
My friend, today you may be going through a challenging situation, facing opposition and betrayal from the people around you. Do not fear. The Lord who was with David is with you. He is the only refuge in such situations. Seek Him, trust Him, strengthen yourself in Him, and rest in Him!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my strong refuge, to which I resort continually. You are my Rock and my fortress. Let me rest in You. Give me peace in my heart, peace this world cannot give. Amen.
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