Refuge

"When you cry out, let your collections of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But whoever takes refuge in me shall possess the land and inherit my holy mountain."

(Isaiah 57:13)

I'm about to finish a sermon series on WAITING ON GOD. These last two weeks have been following David's saga. This week, especially, I've been studying his time in hiding in the caves in the Judean wilderness, while on the run from king Saul, who wanted him killed. Though anointed as the next King while still a teen, David had to wait decades before assuming the throne. Amidst attack and persecution (and falsehoods and misunderstandings galore!), David chose not to fight back against the king. Instead, he waited for God's timing. And through it all, David took refuge in the LORD.

What does it mean to take rogue in God? A refuge is a place you go in times of trouble, when the storms of life hit. It's a place where creatures are valued and protected (ie. wildlife refuge). In ancient Hawaii (and in Israel during Biblical times), certain cities were designated as "cities of refuge" where folks could flee for mercy if they'd committed a crime.

All of these definitions apply to God. He is the One who can shelter us amidst the storms of life. He is the One who values us and can protect us. He is the One who, in the midst of our sinfulness as humans, can offer grace, mercy, and hope. God alone is the ONE.

So why do we turn to anything else?

So why do I turn to anything else?