By David ReayWednesday 4 Dec 2013LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read 2 Samuel 22:1-3
1 David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. 2 He sang:
“The LORD is my rock,my fortress,and my saviour;
3 my God is my rock,in whom I find protection.
He is my shield,the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge,my saviour,
the one who saves me from violence. (NLT)
Christianity has sometimes been described as a bit of escapism. Those who can’t cope with life run for cover and let God sort things out for them. A religion for wimps. Then again,few would call King David a wimp. Yet here he is telling of how God is his refuge,his place of safety. So are we escapists?
Yes and no. We believe we have to depend on the grace,wisdom and power of God. We believe he enables us to face all life circumstances. So it is natural we see him as our refuge. However this does not make us passive,quivering bundles of nerves scared of getting out of bed each morning. We go to God for refuge precisely so we can avoid that sort of paralysis. We get our strength from him in order to face life. We withdraw in order to progress,we retreat in order to advance.
King David was a brave warrior,an active ruler. He spoke often of seeking refuge and shelter with God. But this was so he could go on being a brave warrior and active ruler. Hiding under the shadow of God’s wings is not the mark of a tame coward leaning on a religious crutch. It is the mark of those who engage robustly with life and who yet realise they need all the help they can get.
Blessings
David Reay