As I read through the book of Psalms I noticed many times the writers referred to God as “My Rock,” “My Deliverer,” “My Refuge” etc. Psalm 18:2: The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength… my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 40:17: “.. thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” 70:5: But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.” 144:2: “My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust…” 57:1 (David when he fled from Saul in a cave). “Be merciful unto me… for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” 59:16: “..for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.” 62:7: “..and my refuge, is in God.” 71:7: “… thou art my strong refuge.” 91:2: “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” 94:22: “But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” 142:4: (cries from the cave) I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” 142:5: “I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge…”
They wanted immediate (911) help. “Make haste, make no tarrying (70:5), and hear me speedily (69:17). Later God then became “My Rock, My Deliverer, and My Refuge.” (Refuge used 19 times in Psalms). What is a refuge? Refuge means a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. A shelter, protection, safety, security, asylum, sanctuary, place of safety, safe haven, retreat, hiding place, hideaway, and even a hideout. Then I thought, as David, there are… times I need a Refuge, times I need a Rock, and other times that I need a Deliverer. I listed 22 references to God as… my Rock, my Deliverer, my Fortress, my Refuge, my Goodness, my Strength, my Help,my Salvation, my Shield, my Defense, my Shepherd, my Redeemer, my Strong Tower, my King, my Buckler, my High Tower, my Helper, my very present Help, my Horn of my salvation, my Hiding place, my Keeper, and my Shade. As I read this list and the need of those who cried for help, I thought of the woman lying on the floor calling, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” There are also times we need a Rock (speedily) and a Refuge (hastily). So as I begin my day, I review my list and my present need, which may vary. Then I close my Bible and say, “Today Lord I need you to be my Refuge.” I then face the new day with the Lord as my Strong Tower. It worked for David and it sure has been a big help to me. Try it! You also might like it. Don’t just lie there and cry, “Help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
Thought! In an emergency, one lady yelled, “What’s that 911 number?” 🙂 – TC
