Let’s just acknowledge right away that things are pretty ROUGH right now… We are faced with a HUGE amount of uncertainty about how things will play out, and not only that, but many of us are already getting hit with some pretty hard knocks. We may be reeling from lost jobs and diminishing bank accounts or fretting for friends and family who are isolated and lonely or at high risk. Plenty of us are grieving over lost time with family and friends or watching our kids experience crushing disappointments like canceled proms, graduations, trips, or birthday parties.

You don’t need a recap of the bad news—you’re living it.
Let’s get straight to some GOOD NEWS.

There is REAL, TANGIBLE HELP to be found, RIGHT NOW through “RIGHT REFUGE.”

What does this mean? It’s choosing GOD alone for your source of REFUGE (rescue, strength, protection, and security).

Before you say, “Yeah, I’ve heard all that before,” or “I’ve got a relationship with Him, I’m good”, you’d better answer a CRUCIAL question: “Are you experiencing all the benefits that come as a result of TRUE INTIMACY and TRUST in Him?” If your heart is not at rest, if you don’t feel peace, if you are stressed out thinking of the future, there is something very significant you should know.

You are DESIGNED by your creator to live in PERFECT PEACE—the same kind Adam and Eve had walking around in paradise. You already know that deep relationship they had with Him NATURALLY got poisoned by the fall. However, what you may NOT know is that through Jesus, you can again have that incredibly close communion with Him. In fact, it’s possible to cultivate such a deep trust and confidence in Him and His promises, that ultimately, NOTHING in life can really shake you.

There is a reason He’s called the ROCK OF AGEs, and if you STAND on that ROCK through RIGHT REFUGE (a relationship functioning properly with trust and intimacy with God), your heart can be FLOODED with peace, even when circumstances are anything but. You can claim and be assured of His protection against danger, such as deadly pestilence or plague. You can live life as bold as a lion, without fear of the future, full of mercy and good fruit, strong and courageous, abundant and free and with tremendous STABILITY, even in the midst of massive crisis. (References: Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 91:5-6, Proverbs 28:1, Psalm 112:1, James 3:17, Joshua 1:9, John 10:10, Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 16:7-9 ).

Unfortunately, most of us do NOT live like this. Instead of having peace and stability through anything, we’re relentlessly tossed back and forth like waves as things go up or down in the stock market or in our toilet paper supply.

When trouble strikes, it’s NATURAL for us to seek rescue, protection and provision.

Unfortunately, most of us do NOT live like this. Instead of having peace and stability through anything, we’re relentlessly tossed back and forth like waves as things go up or down in the stock market or in our toilet paper supply.

When trouble strikes, it’s NATURAL for us to seek rescue, protection and provision.

The problem comes with the WRONG REFUGE or seeking relief from our woes from the WRONG SOURCES. Think Netflix, donuts, moolah, sex, drugs rock and roll…even family, friends, work, government. You name the focus; it can be chosen instead of God as a place of refuge. Though most of these are fine in their proper place, they can’t deliver what our hearts are really craving—PEACE, assurance, and lasting security. They can all be washed away, like sand.

Only God stands firm forever; RIGHT REFUGE through intimate relationship with Him is the answer. Sample this truth as proclaimed by Biblical figures:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is my ROCK protecting me from danger, so why should I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-6

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging;”
Psalm 46:1-3

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

“I will say of the Lord, He is my rock and my fortress, my God in Whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” Psalm 91:2-6

Even better, look at the INCREDIBLE WAY God responds to being chosen for intimacy and refuge:

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him,
for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

You probably have heard many times God has a plan for you; maybe you even know that verse by heart: “For I know the plans i have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It’s an incredible verse for sure, but two seldom quoted are the two verses that follow, which show that plan is to happen in relationship,“Then you will come and pray to me and I WILL LISTEN TO YOU”, and “You will SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. “ (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

He actually promises you can FIND HIM—Astounding! That should be more than enough incentive for you to go STRAIGHT to the throne of grace in prayer and STRAIGHT to the word of God to read, study, meditate, and even memorize.

Let’s be clear: It’s not a few memory verses that are going to suddenly change everything; it’s that inputting your focus on God and His word (and keeping it there), you will deepen your relationship with Him. You will begin to understand that He not only loves you but is FOR YOU and working all things together for good for you because you love Him. You will discover He’s willing, able and ready to deliver, honour, and PROTECT you. As you SEEK HIM with all your Heart, you will find out why RIGHT REFUGE is so crucial, and when you find Him, even a GLIMPSE, you will proclaim like the psalmist..

“I am fully satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Psalm 63:5),
“…with Him at my right hand, I will NOT BE SHAKEN” (Psalm 16:8), and
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who Trusts in Him.” Psalm 34:8