Greetings to you in the name of the One who adds meaning and purpose to our lives, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! A beautiful winter’s day as we prepare for the weekend…and I hope that you are excited about it! I trust that you have had a good week and enjoyed all the blessings that have come your way. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to touch you – body, mind, and spirit – with His healing and restorative power.
I cam across a word in my Bible reading today and I know that I have read it before but for some reason it stood out. So I spent some time searching and pondering. The word only appears once in the New Testament but eighty seven times in the Old Testament….most often in Psalms. However I read it in the book of Nahum…yes there really is a book by that name…just check the index.This is the verse: The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7 (NIV) … a translation renders it: GOD is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble. Nahum 1:7 (the Message).
Now, why would God promise a “refuge” or “hiding place” unless He knew we would need a place to take refuge in or hide in once in a while? As I pondered that word and searched for definitions this is what I came up with. First “refuge” in Hebrew carries with it the idea of connection to God – an energy that is created between people when they feel seen and heard and valued so that the can give and received without judgement. It suggests therefore, a place where one can safely be vulnerable and open and honest about oneself. Further, the idea is a place where one can sit and listen and be quiet and respond and laugh and cry and be expressive and sigh and be at home and be encouraged and be built up and learn.
For me, that is who God is and it is that I believe the church needs to be…a “refuge” and a “hiding place” – a calm and safe retreat where one can spend some transformative time away from the demands and challenges of life. Now I have planted a seed, take a few moments and ponder – The LORD is your refuge!
Have a great weekend!