Finding Refuge in God: A Call to Empathy and Action 

Psalm 46:1-3 

God is our refuge and strength, 
a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 
though its waters roar and foam, 
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 

I have been noticing a trend recently while reading through the Psalms in my personal devotion time. Not just something here or there, but a significant trend. What I cannot seem to avoid seeing is this: “God is our refuge…a very present help in trouble.” So, I ran a simple word search in the Psalms, looking for the word refuge. 

What I found in the English NASB, which is what I read most regularly, was that the word refuge is used 40 times in the Psalms. The frequency is similar across other translations too—43 times in the NIV and 45 in the ESV. What I found so amazing is that, in almost every instance, the word refuge is used with a common meaning and intention. In short, God is our refuge—a truth reiterated repeatedly in the Psalms.  

What is a refuge?

A refuge is something that provides shelter; it gives safety from pursuit, danger, or trouble. You have heard it said, “Take refuge from the storm!” An external force drives us to take refuge in something stronger than ourselves. Seeking refuge takes humility and a confession of neediness because it forces us to look at the tornado coming our way and admit that we don’t have the strength to weather the storm on our own. We are better off taking shelter in the basement! 

Working in refugee resettlement has given me a unique perspective into this spiritual reality of what it means to take refuge in God.  

As I have become acquainted with many wonderful refugees that we serve and welcome here in our community, I have learned that all of them have something in common. Their story begins the same way—they are fleeing something. They do not come here because they want to, but because the place they do call home is not safe for them. So, they take shelter here in the United States, safe from the threats of their homeland. 

But what classifies someone as a refugee? According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, “a refugee is a person who “owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of [their] nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail [themself] of the protection of that country.” These things pertaining to persecution are totally out of their control. Try as we might, none of us can control what troubles come our way due to race, nationality, etc. Things that trouble us are disturbances that we did not invite or welcome. If we all had it our way, we would choose a smooth sailing life void of all trouble. 

However, it is likely that you are reading this today and are not facing the same types of troubles that refugees are. But something is troubling you, isn’t it? What prompts you to flee? To run and hide? 

Psalm 46:1-3 is not about literal storms. But the psalmist is using a storm to show us something: when the uninvited, uncontrollable chaos of life comes our way— “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help”.  

God is our ultimate refuge

If you are in trouble, any trouble, God is waiting for you. For those of us who are Christians, we have indeed already run to God for refuge in Jesus Christ our Lord. And we know it is not a one-time thing but a daily running to Him for refuge! Life is hard, and we are assaulted all day long from different afflictions and troubles that our enemy intends for evil. Whatever it may be, the word of the Lord is clear, God wants himself to be seen and known as One who is abundantly available to help. He is ready and willing; nothing is too hard for him! In fact, He knows your frame and knows your life feels like it is falling apart, like it feels helpless. 

Here is a picture for us as Christians: in times of trouble, we are all spiritual refugees who seek refuge in our Lord Jesus. We flee to Him. We assess the troubles and craziness of our lives and say, “to God we go!” 

Do you see it? Our Lord offers rest and safety in himself for all who would come.  Read the words of our Lord Jesus, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” 

Why does this matter?  

Do we truly realize how gracious and accommodating our God has been to us in His beloved Son, Jesus Christ? Have we seen ourselves as spiritual refugees? Where do we run when tempted by Satan, where do we hide when anxieties and fears overwhelm, in Whom do we find refuge when sin wins the day? 

“God is our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 

How lucky are we? Christians should know what it is like to be welcomed with open arms. Shouldn’t what we have received and found in God, if pondered rightly, lead us to see, feel, and act towards others with the same zeal, compassion, mercy and hospitality with which God has greeted us? 

I am curious – how do you respond to those in hardship? How does your church respond? More specifically, how do you respond to refugees in hardship, who find themselves here in the United States? I am not thinking about your “official stance” on the subject or even the “action” that you may eventually take towards them. But something deeper, what is your reflex response from your innermost being? Your reflex response will drive your eventual action.  

I hope that considering God as our refuge eventually leads all of us to live in an understanding, sympathetic way with those who seek physical refuge here in the United States. Take time to consider this week how you respond to those in hardship that are seeking refuge. Can you relate? We are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, (Matthew 5:44) how much more so those who are not our enemies but those that are simply looking for a safe place to lay their heads? 

My hope is that the local church would be the face of welcome to our new refugee neighbors. That the local church would stand eager and ready to show forth the same welcoming love that they have received from God themselves. 

Questions for Reflection:

1. When troubles come, how do you typically respond? What is it that you seek refuge in?  

2. Who in your life might need refuge right now? How can you provide safety, support, or care for them? 

3. How does recognizing your own need for a refuge change the way you see those who are fleeing their home to come to the Upstate for refuge? 

4. How might you become more involved in the lives of those who need refuge? Could you be involved as a mobilizer of people around you to serve, could you donate to the cause to see new neighbors served well, or could you give of your own time to volunteer to serve refugees in your area? 

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