Refuge

Not every command in Scripture concerning our spiritual enemy is “Resist.” Sometimes we must use another tactic. We are told to resist the devil and he will flee, but the devil is not the only source of our problems! There are the clamorings of a self that hates to “come under” and rebels when its way is denied. There is the warring we may feel in a time of great indecision. There are the feelings of sorrow, anger, disappointment, or hurt that threaten to overwhelm us. These things are from within ourselves and are not meant to be handled by resistance. To resist ourselves and our thoughts and emotions only adds to the conflict. This is not the way God intended the human mind and will to function.

What God did intend is that we find a refuge, a hiding place during the conflict, a shelter from the storm. And He has provided it for us. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Psalm 18:2) Perhaps all our lives we have been taught not to run from situations, not to hide. This does not always hold true. Sometimes we need security, a safe place to rest until we know what to do. Don’t be ashamed to hide! We must learn the difference between hiding from something and hiding in the Refuge.

In addition, we are commanded in the New Testament to run from certain things. We are to run from sexual sin (I Corinthians 6:18), run from the worship of idols—anything we put above God (I Corinthians 10:14), run from the love of money (I Timothy 6:10-11), and run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts (II Timothy 2:22). Don’t be ashamed to run! We must learn the difference between staying and trying to resist the temptation and running to the Refuge.

We do not, by seeking a refuge, avoid life. We learn rather to meet life as God meant we should: dwelling in “the secret place” of the Most High.

MaryMartha
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Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com