The Place of Refuge
There are situations in life that can prompt all sorts of oppressive emotions like: fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. These emotions can be enough to make us feel like we are going crazy at times. Even if you have been trusting God and staying in His Presence, you could be momentarily caught off guard with an unforeseen circumstance.
What is important to know in these situations, is that God has already prepared a place of refuge for you. He already knew that the threats, attacks and obstacles would present themselves. He also already made provision for you to survive the most terrible threat.
In the book of 2 Kings when Assyria was threatening to attack, Hezekiah, King of Judah sought God concerning the situation. The prophet Isaiah assured him that the battle would not even take place, but more negative reports came and Hezekiah prayed to the Lord for himself. The Lord sent word of what He would do to Assyria and said that His remnant would come from Jerusalem and the survivors from Mount Zion.
One thing that encouraged me is that the place of refuge is not a cold, dark place. The survivors were in Mount Zion, which is always described in the Bible as a beautiful place. It is “the city of our God, His holy mountain…beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth.” (Psalm 48:1-2 NIV)
When the storms of life come against you, do not descend into despair and anguish – ascend to the place of refuge, joy and peace that God prepared for you. Go up the mountain where you can look down on your problems and see them from God’s perspective. How small those problems appear from up there!
When you look at life as a child of Zion, you see things from a different perspective. Seek God concerning that situation and rest in His holy mountain. Watch from the highest point where you are safe from danger and see what He does, for He is your place of refuge.
Psalm 48:1-3 (New King James Version)
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King. 3 God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.
