Our True Refuge

Read Psalm 27:1-14

The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger - whom shall I fear? When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall! Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me.

The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory. There I'll be when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies. Then I will bring him sacrifices and sing his praises with much joy. Psalm 27:1-6 (TLB)

One cloudy morning, Lucy Ferraz de Almeida Pezzolo, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and her husband set out for their usual walk in their neighborhood. When they were far from home, it suddenly started to rain, and a strong wind picked up. They ran to the covered steps of a church, where they took shelter until the storm passed.

The church is a place of prayer, a house of worship. But as Lucy sat on the steps that day, she realized that many times in our Christian walk we don't have access to the physical shelter of a church. Regardless, the house of God shall remain open because we have the presence of the Holy Spirit within our souls. All we truly need is the Lord! God welcomes us and protects us.

Life confronts us all with struggles - the separation of loved ones, chronic illness, unemployment, disappointment with friends or family. But even in our most difficult times, the unconditional and welcoming love of God through Jesus Christ holds us, strengthens us, and keeps us going.

Prayer: Loving God, we thank you that your shelter is available to us wherever we are. Remind us to seek refuge in you, in Jesus' name. Amen.