Psalm 11 – In the Lord I Take Refuge
Have you ever wanted to fly away, escape from all the trials of this world? I know I have. All of us need a refuge at times, a safe place. Where do we find true refuge? We hear in Psalm 11 – in the Lord I take refuge.
Psalm 11
The writer of Psalm 11 appears to be in dire straits. To those telling him to run for his life, he responds with a question:
“How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.” (1b-3)
He then goes on to conclude his question:
When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?” (3)
His response:
“The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.” (4-6)
The Psalm ends with the reminder that God loves justice. All who are upright will see God’s face.
“For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.” (7)
The Desire for Refuge
Have you ever had one of “those days?” You know the type. If it can go wrong, it does go wrong: the job’s a hassle, you had a fight with your spouse before leaving for work, then you get a call from your children’s school saying they are sick, please come and pick them up.
I know I had those days while raising children. I still have those days when I would like to run away, find a remote island or a cave where I can just be alone, maybe cry, maybe just be. The author of Psalm 11 disputes this desire. He tells us, birds aren’t safe. They can be hit by an arrow. The island refuge you may be looking for may harbor deadly snakes or tarantulas. Your mountain retreat may have bears and cougars.
Still the desire to find a refuge remains. What do we do when foundations are being destroyed? Where can we find refuge?
What Can We do?
What can the righteous do when foundations are being destroyed and you are fearing for your life? Sometimes the world can feel like the fundamentals are being shaken. We have wars and natural disasters challenging the underpinnings of our world. The foundation of democracy is being challenged in our own country and in other countries where democracies are unable to become established or are overturned by military coups.
What can we do when our lives feel like they are falling apart, when the ground of our being is shaken?
Psalm 11 tells us the Lord is in his temple. God sees through to the heart of God’s people and is able to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. God will bring down a punishment on the wicked. We are to trust God to be God; trust that our God is on our side, at work bringing about justice in this world.
What can we do, besides trust our God? Perhaps we can be God’s hands in this world.
What is a Refuge?
A refuge is a place of solace, security and safety. It is more than a place of rest. It is a safe haven – a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.
Many think of their homes as a place of refuge, a place where they can relax and be themselves. Where they can be safe. When someone breaks into your home, it is a violation of this space. Your sense of security has been challenged.
Sometimes it is a person who provides that sense of safety. Children may find refuge in the arms of their parents, spouses in each other’s arms. We feel safe in our love’s embrace. But even these can be taken from us.
Many refugees are fleeing harsh conditions, gangs, violence, wars. They are looking for a safe haven. They are looking for a country where they can be safe, people they can trust.
As I’m writing this, I’m aware of the thousands of refugees throughout the world. Families fleeing wars and persecution. Innocent victims of war in Ukraine and Gaza. Refugees at our southern border. Yes, some are simply seeking a better life, but others fear for their lives. (for information on the distinction between refugees and migrants see | International Rescue Committee (IRC))
I’m grieving for all of the lives already lost in the Ukraine and Israel/Palestine. I grieve the loss of lives on our border. They are all children of God, our brothers and sisters. Certainly, we can do better. People taking in refugees act as God’s hands on this earth. Perhaps we are being challenged to find refuge by giving refuge.
Psalm 11 – In the Lord I take Refuge
God as a refuge is found fifteen times in the Psalms. (Psalm 2:12, 5:11, 11:1, 16:1, 17:7, 31:2, 34:8, 36:7, 46:1, 59:16, 62:8, 71:1, 91:2, 118:8, 144:2) In the uncertain times found during the Old Testament, this was an important concept for the Hebrew community. It remains an important concept in our times.
Some of us may be fleeing the trials of everyday life. Some days we just want to pull the covers over our heads and not get up. We take refuge in our beds. Others take refuge in drugs and alcohol. They provide a temporary escape from our problems (while creating new problems).
God is our Refuge
Whatever is happening in your life, whatever challenges, the only true and lasting refuge is in God. Drugs and alcohol are false refuges. Even our beds only offer a temporary escape. Staying in them all day will create other problems. We don’t have to go anywhere or do anything; we carry our refuge within us.
What has been your experience of refuge? Are you able to trust God to keep you safe? If not, what is keeping you from trust?
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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