March 10, 2018

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO BE A REFUGE FOR THE OPPRESSED

PSALM 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

We know that God is is a refuge. Even more specific, God is a refuge for me and for you. However, in this verse, God gives us another dimension. He is a refuge for the oppressed. Now for us to understand what God is telling us, we need to understand the meaning of the words He used.

“REFUGE”: defense, high cliff, high fort

“OPPRESSED”: crushed, injured, afflicted

“TROUBLE”: adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.

So let us put all the pieces together. God being our refuge means that He will provide a place for you to rise above the adversity that has injured you. God can protect you from the affliction that has crushed you. We do not have to live under the oppression of things that distress us. God is a refuge for the oppressed. God can take us above it, beyond it, and past it. If you find yourself hurting and do not know who to turn to, turn to God. He is a refuge to people just like that. When you feel overwhelmed by conflicts that have stressed you out, turn to God. He is your refuge. When there is a person in your life that seems to constantly afflict you that you can’t get away from, and cannot get victory over, turn to God. He is your refuge. When you can tell that certain circumstances are robbing you of your joy, your peace, and your victory, turn to God. He can guard you and protect you from distress it is causing you.

God also says that He will be a refuge in times of adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, and trouble.

Some people run from trouble. Some people run to trouble. God runs to the people in trouble. When you need God the most, He is there. He is your refuge!