Psalm 62:6-8 – “He alone is my rock and my salvation, My refuge; I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my glory rest on God; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us. ” |
Like most kids, my friends and I used to play tag at recess during school. One person was selected as ‘it’ and the rest of us ran around trying not to get caught. If the person who was ‘it’ caught me, he would say “Tag, you’re it!” and it was my turn to chase others. I never was the fastest runner, so I got tagged fairly often. But the one thing that would save me was when I could reach our base (usually the tether ball pole or some other piece of playground equipment). Many times, I was out of breath and barely able to make it, but I knew if I could just touch the base, I would be safe. There was no other way – until the whistle blew and recess was over, my only security was clinging to the base.
God is our safe place – our refuge in times of trouble. When things are tough and the challenges of life are chasing us, there is no other place or thing that offers us the security we need. It is not found in others, in material things or in a big bank account. There were other pieces of playground equipment where I could try to hide, but none of them was sufficient to save me. God alone is where we are to place our faith and trust.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to run to you in times of trouble. Any efforts I make on my own may hide me for a while, but ultimately it is only when I am safe in your shelter that I am protected. Thank you for loving me, and for giving me a way of escape from the trials of this life. Amen.
– Betty Gossell