God Is a Refuge for Us

Each day you and I awake to a world that is experiencing the effects of sin. Broken relationships abound. Financial hardships occur. Places are wiped out by fires, hurricanes, and tsunamis. People die from sickness and starvation. In light of all the sin and suffering, we are oftentimes silent, insecure, and discontent. Emotions like anger, shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, and grief fill our hearts. And we often wonder how to escape, who to talk with, when to cry for help, where to go when we want to hide, and what to do with our aching hearts. Thankfully, the Bible addresses such questions. In Psalm 62 we learn what to do when we’re feeling battered, beaten, and betrayed. 

Silent and Confident

David waited in silence for God alone to save him: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation” (Ps. 62:1). His confidence was rooted in someone far greater than his enemies. Physically the walls might be leaning and the fence tottering, but God was his Rock and Fortress: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” (v. 2). David felt battered: “How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?” (v. 3). David felt beaten: “They only plan to thrust him down from his high position” (v. 4). And David felt betrayed: “They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse” (v. 4).

               Where do we turn when we feel battered, beaten, and betrayed? David tells us: “Trust in him at all times…pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Ps. 62:8). We can trust in Him because our “hope is from him” (v. 5), He is our “rock” and our “salvation” and our “fortress” (v. 6),  as well as our “glory” and “refuge” (v. 7). 

               Think of Christ’s suffering and death. The Son of God was battered, beaten, and betrayed. Yet He waited in silence for God’s plan of salvation to unfold. He went to the cross leaning on His Father, submitting to His will. He blessed those who cursed Him and reconciled us to God while we were still enemies.

               As those who are in Christ we too can be silent and confident in the midst of suffering and chaos. Our Rock and Redeemer will secure us when things seem to be shaking all around us. We can trust God and pour out our heart before Him, knowing He hears us and is a refuge for us.  

Secure and Content

David reminds us that worldly power, position and prestige gain us nothing: “Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath” (Ps. 62:9). He goes on to warn us, “Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them” (v. 10). Why? What is vain about pursuing power, position and prestige? 

               Power, position, and prestige belong to God: “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work” (Ps. 62:11-12). Recognizing that power, position, and prestige belong to God leads to security and contentment. Thankfully, God’s power is not unbridled, but is informed by His covenant love. He is loving. He is loyal. And He is kind. He promises that He will render to a man according to Christ’s work, if they trust in Him alone for salvation. Anyone who doesn’t repent of their sin and trust in Christ as their Savior will face God’s judgment on the final day.

*****

To what did you awake this morning? Which relationships in your life are broken? In what areas are you experiencing hardship? What places are wiped out by natural disasters? Whose death are you grieving? It is all too easy to become silent, insecure, and discontent in the midst of such sin and suffering. But God has a better solution. “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Ps. 62:8). Go ahead. Stop what you’re doing right now. And pour it all out to Him. All of it. Your hope is from God. He is your rock, your salvation, your fortress, your glory, and your refuge. Dear believer, you will not be shaken.    

Sarah Ivill (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a Reformed author, wife, homeschooling mom, Bible study teacher, and conference speaker who lives in Matthews, North Carolina, and is a member of Christ Covenant Church (PCA). To learn more, please visit www.sarahivill.com.