Place of refuge
I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Psalms 142:1-7
From the text, the Psalmist was pleading to God to intervene. His distress was overwhelming and there was no one to rescue him except God. There are times that we feel distressed because we are stuck where we are and there seemed to be no way out. We think that feelings of joy, love and sense of fulfillment are hard to come by. This feeling of unsettlement tends to affect our own beliefs and convictions. This can also lead to isolation from relationships that we use to have. Just like David, we can come to God and express our feelings. There are times that we find ourselves overwhelmed with struggles in life. This could lead to discouragement when continually kept within. This is what David realized. He knew he had to call for help and the One whom he had proven consistent and faithful was God. He found that in God alone he could find refuge and strength. “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.” He believed that God alone could give him the courage to overcome and come out victorious over the enemy’s traps. God alone can remove him from the predicament he was in. David knew that God alone could provide him the perspective that will enable him to respond properly meeting the challenge. All the enemy wants is for us to get discouraged and fail. Instead of giving up and give in to enemy’s temptation, we can cry out to God and bring to Him our supplication. We cannot be released from emotional captivity if we are not coming to God and ask Him for help. God hears us and only wants the best for us. But once He sets you in the path He wants you to take, you must act in faith and be obedient to His will. This is what David prayed for that he will move forward looking only for the opportunity to glorify God with his life. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O Lord” (Psalm 143:10-11). Do not allow the enemy overcome you instead cry out to God. “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.”
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
