Place of Refuge

Most children love creating forts out of blankets draped over furniture and then crawling in and feeling safe and protected. That desire for security never leaves us but takes on different forms as we grow older. Most people have a place they gravitate to when life proves stressful – a sanctuary of sorts. It may be a room in their home, a park, or the arms of a loved one.

All of us long for some level of security in our lives. As we have seen throughout most of this year, the places we often anchor our security have failed us at some level. So where can we find a security that doesn’t disappoint? Scripture clearly points to God, our Creator, as the one who provides the safe haven we all long to experience. Let’s look at a few ways He creates this security.

Our Heavenly Father chose us to be a part of His family. Ephesians 1:3-14 captures how God chose us before the foundation of the world to be adopted into His family. Imagine Him looking through all of time and selecting us for adoption. Incredible security results from knowing the Creator of the universe chose us.

Our Heavenly Father provides a place of refuge. We see this in Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Just like our imagined forts from childhood, the Lord provides a safe place in Him where we can enjoy a security the world cannot provide, and thankfully more secure than the forts from our early days.

Our Heavenly Father provides all our needs. Philippians 4:19 promises, “And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Notice that He not only supplies all needs, He does so according to His riches. God’s supply is not limited by what the world economy experiences. If He paves the streets of Heaven with gold (Revelation 21:21), He can surely supply what we need.

Our Heavenly Father provides for our healing. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Jesus bore all our sickness and disease when He died on the cross. As our Creator, He knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). If He made us, He certainly has the power to heal anything that comes against us.

Our Heavenly Father provides wisdom. James 1:5 tells us how to get godly wisdom, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Wisdom is the application of God’s Word in our lives. We must study and gain an understanding of His Word, and then He shows us how to correctly apply that understanding to live a life of abundance and fulfillment.

If any of these areas challenge your security, ask God to fill that uncertainty with His promises. Let our loving Heavenly Father replace any fear, insecurity and anxiousness with safety, protection and peace. It is the only place to find security that doesn’t disappoint.