Journeying to Grace

I wasn’t surprised to wake up to the sound of rain falling steadily because a very high chance of rain was predicted. After several recent rains skipped our area, I welcomed the much-needed rain and was confident this forecast would finally be accurate. As I looked at the backyard through my kitchen window (grateful the rain came on my watering day), I saw a rabbit taking refuge under the one out-of-place bush in my garden. Usually I shoo the rabbits away because they are either eating my plants or digging holes, but this one just needed a little shelter from the storm.

He (maybe she?) seemed to fit perfectly under the low limbs of this bush. I have several trees nearby with broader, better coverage, but there must have been something safe and inviting about this spot. The branches or limbs aren’t very thick, so he certainly still got wet, but they seemed to provide enough protection, and he must have felt how close they were to him. I glanced out the window many times throughout the day, and he was still there. He stayed in the refuge of this bush for hours – until the storm subsided.

We know the word ‘refuge’ well and recognize it spiritually as a place of peace, safety, and closeness with the Lord. But how good are we about seeking full and complete refuge in Him? In faith and prayer, we know where to go, but do we fully trust in the healing grace of this refuge? Do we stay until the storm is over, or do we get tired of waiting and leave? Though different for each of us, true refuge in the Lord is the one safe place of spiritual shelter where we can be our honest selves, surrender our hurts, and open our hearts in hope to hearing His voice and will for us.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

This I declare about the Lord, He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. (Psalm 91:2)

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. (Psalm 119:114)

These short lines of faith are significant and are invitations to truly seek full refuge in the Lord. Within them, we also note the unfailing words that encourage us to remain in the love, protection, and healing of God’s refuge: strength, trust, and hope. With renewed strength, trust, and hope, may we stay in the closeness of God’s refuge and know the peace He has for us.