Are you anxious right now? What worries, concerns, or anxiousness do you carry day after day after day? If you are like me, they could be many! We were not created to carry the weight of anxiousness, concern, or worry day after day after day. When we are carrying the weight of anxiousness, it is difficult, if not impossible, to be who God created us to be...in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and our communities. So what do we do with these things that weigh us down? We give them to God. We trust God. I love Psalm 31. Listen to David's words in Psalm 31:1-8... 1 In you, Lord, I have taken REFUGE; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of REFUGE, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my REFUGE. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. 6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.
David was weighed down by his "affliction" and the "anguish" in his soul. What did he do? He turned to God, and he trusted God! God was David's REFUGE. Three times David used the word "refuge" in these eight verses. "Refuge," according to Merriam-Webster, means "a shelter or protection from danger or distress." When you are anxious or worrisome, you can turn to God and trust God as your REFUGE. He will be your shelter and your protection. God can and will be your rock, your fortress, your REFUGE in times of affliction and anguish! Turn to Him, and trust Him today!
