Psalm 46:1-7
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah
4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Dueteronomy 33:27
27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, destroy them.
Psalm 9:9
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Refuge Realities
1. We all need a Refuge
2. Every Man-Made Refuge Will Eventually Fail
Ps 115: 4-8 NLT
…He that is in the heavens does as he wishes. Their gods are merely man-made things of silver and gold. They can’t talk or see, despite their eyes and mouths! Nor can they hear nor smell, nor use their hands or feet, nor speak! And those who make and worship them are just as foolish as their idols are.
Isaiah 57:13 NIV
When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.
3. God is an Available Refuge NOW
Dueteronomy 33:27
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
How Can We Find Refuge in God?
- TALK to God
2 Samuel 22:4-6
4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 5When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; 6The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; 7In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
Psalm 57:1 NIV
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 31:4 NIV
Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.
- TRUST IN God
2 Samuel 22:3
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior; thou savest me from violence.
Psalm 115:9-11 NLT
O Israel, trust the LORD! He is your helper; he is your shield. 10 O priests of Aaron, trust the LORD! He is your helper; he is your shield. 11 All you who fear the LORD, trust the LORD! He is your helper; he is your shield.
- OBEY GOD
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
2 Samuel 22:10-12, 18-20
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. 11And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. 12And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
18He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. 19They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 20He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.