March 13th, 2021 – Saturday Morning
“I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'” ~Psalm 91:2
I love moving water; not necessarily the act of moving water from one location to another, rather, water that moves from one location to another. Before I get you too confused, let me explain: I love streams, creeks, waterfalls, waves, and the power of water in motion. Whether it is the force of a gigantic wave that smashes into a breakwall or the collapse of a dam (beaver or other) under the pressure that even a relatively little amount of water exerts is fascinating to me. Water can be quite dangerous and destructive, especially if it comes in the form of a violent storm or raging flood.
So what is the association of water to our passage today? Think of a time in your life where you felt as though you were being swept away (figuratively or literally) in a storm of a flood…without a deliverer or a firm footing, surely you would have been destroyed. That’s what this verse is all about; just like everybody else, the psalmist needs a place of safety – a firm foundation upon which to stand. It really has to do with more than just water; in reality, any threat we face requires an even greater place of refuge or defense. The threats referred to directly in Psalm 91 take on the form of disease, destruction, dangerous animals, and battle.
We have heard much about who the LORD is and what His character and nature consist of; we have been reminded again and again of His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. We have seen His immutability (unchangeableness) and His goodness. Now, in light of any threat (physical or spiritual), it is important to be reminded that He is the only true refuge and fortress. Every other device, barrier, defense, and person will eventually fail – whether it is from physical or spiritual attack – and those who place their total trust in anyone or anything other than the LORD will be disappointed, let down, crushed, and destroyed. Only He is capable of defending His people against every threat and only He is able to carry them through each storm, battle, trial, and persecution.
Where is your hope? In whom or in what do you trust? Where is your defense and impenetrable place of safety? Don’t put your confidence in yourself, your stuff, your relationships, your people, or anything else; trust in the LORD and you will find Him to be the perfect and unconquerable refuge.
Praise the Lord for His unfailing love, His mercy through Christ, and His indwelling Spirit! Thank you, Father, that You and You alone are the Fortress and Refuge in which we trust!