Chapter 35
Good Monday Morning to this new week 35 of 2024
In the unfolding drama of all the wars and struggles of life around us, where moments of crisis and conflict often take center stage, I’ve found my blog evolving into something that resembles a war diary. The entries seem to revolve around the themes of life and death, challenges and triumphs, and the ever-present tension between fear and faith.
As I reflect on these stories, Psalm 91:2 resonates with me: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'” This verse is a powerful testament to God’s dual role as both our protector and the one who is protected. It serves as a reminder of the divine refuge we can seek in the midst of life’s chaos and trials.
One of the things I appreciate most about the stories I encounter and read is their raw authenticity. Many of these stories feature people who are struggling with doubts and facing intense trials. Their faith is not presented as an unshakable fortress from the start, but as something that endures through the struggle. The people in these stories are often deeply aware of their own fragility, yet they cling to their trust in God, their ultimate protector.
As we navigate our own struggles and uncertainties, many verses in the Bible offer a comforting perspective. It assures us that God is both the refuge we seek and the fortress that guards us, reminding us that despite what we read and see, He is the protector and we are the protected in moments of doubt and struggle.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1), as the name of the Lord is a fortified tower to which the righteous run and are safe (Proverbs 18:10); He is my rock, fortress, and deliverer, my shield and stronghold (Psalm 18:2), and we need not fear, for He is with us, strengthening and helping us with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10); indeed, He is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, a stronghold, refuge, and savior from those who are violent (2 Samuel 22:3), as the Lord is good and a refuge in times of trouble, caring for those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7), so we are encouraged to be strong and take heart, all who hope in the Lord (Psalm 31:24), for truly He is our rock and salvation, our fortress, and we will not be shaken, as our salvation and honor depend on Him, our mighty rock and refuge (Psalm 62:6-7); the eternal God is our refuge, with everlasting arms underneath, driving out our enemies (Deuteronomy 33:27), and we are invited to come to Him with our weariness and burdens to find rest (Matthew 11:28).”
Let’s wrap this up, the dual role of protector and protected with another element, that of being free from the imprisonment of thought, as another term of having faith could be called. It’s a question of where and what we put our trust. Charles Wesley wrote the hymn and puts it this way;
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
As you begin a new week, may you find comfort and strength in the understanding that God is both your protector and the source of your freedom. This freedom transcends the absence of struggle, conflict, or physical restraint and offers a deeper sense of liberation from trusting in His divine presence and guidance.
Philemon