Our Refuge and Strength

by Lynn, posted in Grace Protects, Old Testament Studies

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn Abbott

Editor’s Note:  Dear Friends, Please forgive my quiet this week.  I am currently moving my art studio and thus, it has been difficult  to complete paintings for my meditations here.  I hope I will be able to swiftly put my workspace back together, and resume my regular posting schedule.  Thank you for understanding. 

©2018 Lynn Abbott

Quite honestly, I don’t know what actually happened.  I have no idea how it came about…

The day started off well enough. The flutter of soft cherry blossoms signaled spring, and the artist in me wished to bring beauty to my garden.  Just after breakfast, I casually mentioned to my husband that I planned a trip to the local nursery.

His face brightened and he said, “Pick up some flowers for the window boxes while you are there.”

Either he shares my love of gardening or he was happy to avoid any form of shopping.  Your guess is as good as mine.

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn AbbottEven so, I was happy for the enthusiastic endorsement, and added the nursery to my long list of errands.   After several stops, I finally pulled into the nursery’s parking lot.

Because I had a lot of plants to purchase, I grabbed a flatbed trolley and scampered through the greenhouse.  I reached for many beautiful flowers and lovely leafy bushes.

Just before I checked out, I spied a spectacular petunia at the end of an aisle.  So I popped it in my cart, placing it right next to the verbena and geraniums.

I was visiting cheerfully with the cashier when a petite senior tapped me on the shoulder.

“Excuse me,” she said curtly.  “Did you take THAT from my cart?” she demanded, pointing the spectacular, purple petunia.

I was dumbfounded.

I have no idea how it came about…

“Why no,” I stammered.  “I didn’t take it, but would you like it?  I promise you I didn’t take it.  I got it over there,” I explained, waving my hand in the general direction of the greenhouse aisles.

“I’d be happy to let you have it,” I trailed.

She looked dubious. “No,” she said.  “You answered my question.”

As I unloaded my cart for the cashier,  my mind whirled.  I tried to recall if there were a cart parked at the end of the greenhouse aisle.

I supposed it possible that in my hurry that I mistook a flatbed for part of the aisle.  But it did not seem likely. Even so, the other shopper obviously believed I had kidnapped her petunia.

I turned and stepped toward the lady.  Touching her arm gently, I offered, “Are you sure you would not like the plant?  I would much rather you have it than for you to think that I took it from you.  The plant isn’t that important to me…”

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn AbbottShe shook her head.  “No, you answered my question,” she said firmly.

Evidently, there was nothing I could say or do that would persuade her that I had not intentionally nabbed her prize petunia.

I stood at the cashier uncertain as to whether I should insist she take the plant.  But she had turned away, and so I reluctantly placed the plant on the counter before me.

I felt terrible.  Perhaps, I had inadvertently and unconsciously done something to offend.  I didn’t know.  But at that moment, I longed to hide.

Like Anne Shirley who mistakenly sold Rachel Lynde’s Jersey cow, I felt I had somehow gotten myself into yet another scrape.

The other shopper obviously believed I had kidnapped her petunia.

I do that a lot.  Get into trouble accidentally, that is.

More often than not,  I look for refuge from angry AARP members armed with swinging pocketbooks.

Okay, so I exaggerate just a little.  But when I feel I have offended, I honestly wish to hide. After all, Rachel Lynde can potentially become a formidable adversary.

I think everyone has accidentally offended someone at some point or another. And many of us have paid a high price for our blunders.

David certainly knew what it was to run from someone he had unintentionally offended.  King Saul hated him.

David probably found the situation puzzling.  After all, he had served Saul well.  He had valiantly fought Saul’s enemies; he’d killed Goliath.

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn AbbottThat’s right.  David offended by simply serving well. And Saul’s insecurity soon gave way to jealousy and resentment, (1 Samuel 18:8b).   You see, Saul had previously rebelled against God and as a result, he lost God’s blessing.

Thus, Saul knew his days were numbered as king, and he scrambled to hang onto power.  All his anger, bitterness and resentment found focus in his fear of David.  After all, David enjoyed God’s blessing and the praise of God’s people.

David eventually had to run for his life.  But even that did not solve the problem.  Saul pursued David. For this reason, David spent years hiding in caves.

And although David repeatedly had opportunities to kill Saul, David refrained.  He waited and trusted God for protection.

David later wrote, “God is our refuge and strength.  A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).

Without a doubt, David’s words embody authentic faith. If anyone understood the necessity of a place of refuge, David did.   Yes, David knew what it meant to be misunderstood, to be hunted for an unintentional offense.

I do that a lot.  Get into trouble accidentally, that is.

David recognized what conflict at work or within a family could do.  David personally experienced pain as the result of someone’s bitterness and commitment to revenge.

Yet, David also knew where to find refuge.  Refuge in time of trouble.

Recently, as I studied the life of Joshua, I found new depth of meaning for the word “refuge.”  Finding refuge, actually,  is the focus of Joshua 20.  And I believe David likely wrote his Psalm within this context.

In the Law, God had not only addressed premeditated crimes, but He also made provision for the inadvertent offense.

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn AbbottYes, Abba has always been a God of grace. And, after all,  sometimes people accidentally hurt others.

Abba knows this.  For this reason, He instituted a safe-guard of grace for His people.   He first hinted that there would be such a safety net in the book of Exodus, and later, Abba established the plan through Joshua.

In Joshua 20, God told Joshua that 6 cities were to be designated as “Cities of Refuge.” The cities would serve as a safe haven for any Hebrew who had accidentally killed another.  It was God’s provision for manslaughter.

The offending individual could run to a city of refuge; present his case before the elders of that city and reside there in safety.  The guilty party could find gracious refuge from the one who sought revenge.

In this way, a person could find immediate protection from certain death. The city also provided long-term sanctuary if the one who sought shelter remained in the city until his adversary died.

David knew where to find refuge.

With this in mind, I read David’s Psalms with greater appreciation.  David’s words take on even deeper significance: God is my city of refuge.

I love this beautiful portrait of grace. Its symbolic significance becomes clear when I consider that you and I have offended. Some of it has been premeditated; sometimes, we have offended in ignorance.

Nevertheless, our failure has been noted.  Of course, none of it is unusual. Our transgressions are common to all of humanity, (Romans 3:23).

But when Adam and Eve rebelled in the garden, Satan screamed for justice. In fact, he cries for blood now.

For this reason, without Christ who died in our stead, you and I would be destined to remain on the run.  Satan is a deadly enemy–an angry, resentful being whose thirst for revenge is never sated.

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn AbbottYet, Christ is our city of refuge.  When the furious devil called for our destruction, we ran home to Abba.

I am so thankful that in Christ, we are not only saved from ultimate destruction, but that we also find grace to deflect the daily onslaughts of the enemy.

And I know from experience that the minute I step out of Abba’s protection, and try to do things my own way, Satan ceases the opportunity.  Without a doubt, the enemy continues to lurk outside the city, “seeking someone to devour,” (I Peter 5:8).

It’s true: our lives have been redeemed through Christ.  But our enemy still remains.

And Satan uses every weapon in his arsenal to attempt to destroy us.  His methods are as varied as life itself: he levels false accusations, encourages conflict at home and at work, and even uses fatigue and physical illness to dishearten us.

Christ is our city of refuge.

And the enemy celebrates our every misstep with words of recrimination.  He expertly shoots fiery darts from outside the city gates.

Birds Eye View of Dublin_Lynn AbbottThus, our daily dwelling place must be in Christ. Our very lives depend upon it.

Of course, unlike the early Hebrews, you and I carry our comfort and refuge with us. We do not run to a city dwelling made with hands.

Jesus reminds us, “Abide in me, and I in you,” (John 15:4a)

In Him, we find security.  In Him, we find refuge from the enemy that seeks to destroy all that Abba loves.

When you and I are falsely accused, when we are misunderstood, when we inadvertently hurt others or when some wish us harm, we run to Christ, our refuge.

He hears our case. He offers forgiveness and grace for our offenses. And in Him, we dwell securely.

In Christ, we truly find our refuge and our strength.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe,” ~Proverbs 18:10

“My soul, wait in silence for God only.  For my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation.  My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” ~Psalm 62:5-6

87 thoughts on “Our Refuge and Strength”

  1. Beautiful word picture of how God is a haven in times of trouble! I can really relate to this: “I am so thankful that in Christ, we are not only saved from ultimate destruction, but that we also find grace to deflect the daily onslaughts of the enemy.” I am soooo thankful along with you! 💗
    Beautiful painting, too! 😉

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    1. Oh, I’m so glad, dear Mia! Thank you for your wonderfully thoughtful and encouraging words! Your friendship is such an extraordinary blessing! And thank you for your lovely words about my painting! That means so much to me! ❤ ❤

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  2. – Wonderful how yet again, God uses one of your stories from ‘everyday life’ and enriches it with insights to help us, your readers, in our ‘everyday’ happenings.
    Oh how I can relate to the ‘get into trouble accidentally’ theme – but you offer hope in Christ.
    I really appreciate this…

    Best wishes for this week, and the art studio move!

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    1. Ah, then, we must be “secretly” related because “accidental trouble” is my middle name! Ha! Thank you for your thoughtful encouragement and for your wishes for my studio move. Your kindness means so much to me! God bless you greatly!

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  5. I hope your art studio move goes smoothly Lynn. Excellent post, I never tied the cities of refuge to us here today but I can see the linkage and it makes sense. Thank you once again for your insightful gems. Let us know what happens to the purple petunia because I’m thinking that story isn’t over yet! Grace and blessings!

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  6. Been there too. I imagine feeling the exact same same way as you did checking out, but it was an honest misunderstanding, but still you feel a little less than whole afterwards. I cringe to imagine how many times I’ve been offensive to the Lord because of my own pride, selfishness, lack of gratitude. Except He’s wanting to load us down with petunias, but we walk on by and have not because we ask not. Love this post!

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    1. Ahh, Jeff… I can always count on you to write truly thoughtful and inspirational comments! I love the idea of the Lord wanting to load us down with petunias! What a beautiful thought! Thank you; thank you! God bless you greatly, Jeff! And by the way, I think you must be my “long-lost” brother. Sounds as though we respond to people in much the same way! 😀

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      2. You may be absolutely right, Jeff… Can’t remember all the categories of the personality test that applied to me. I took the Myers Briggs at least 30 years ago… (don’t tell… 😉 ) Perhaps, it is time to take it again. 😀 But I definitely connect with your writing as well. So…God bless you my long lost brother!! 😉

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  8. I love the way you always choose difficult subjects sis. Thank GOD we have His protective Word to wear His defensive and offensive armour in Ephesians 6:14/17.

    Not sure how I’d have dealt with the lady and the Petunia though? I think you handled it beautifully. All in all another 10/10 x

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    1. Warren, you truly have the gift of encouragement! I should nickname you “Barnabas”. Thank you, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words! You definitely buoyed my spirits today! God bless you big time, and bless you with speedy healing!!

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  10. I enjoyed this post. It made me chuckle and smile. There is nothing to forgive you for. I hope you have a safe move and we’ll be here when your regular posting resumes. 💙

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    1. I’m so glad, dear Diana! Yeah, I’m always finding myself in ridiculous situations… sigh. My husband chuckles, too… and I usually laugh when all is said and done. 😉 And thank you for your thoughtful words about my moving project! You’re a truly awesome friend!

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      1. It’s good when you can look back and laugh. I tend to find myself in some awkward situations sometimes and I look back and thank God for bringing me through them and then I chuckle. 😆You’re utmost welcome, my friend. Take care. 💙

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  12. I love this! 🙂 I hope you settle into your new studio quickly. I sometimes have trouble just managing to write a post each week… I cannot imagine also painting artwork to go with each one. You are amazing!!

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    1. You are way too good to me, dear Linda! Yes, with the move it is all a bit of a challenge. I’ve tried to juggle things, but it isn’t working very well. So, I’m just trying to buckle down and focus on getting the moving stuff done as quickly as possible so I can get back to my normal routine. Thank you for your kind words! It means the world to me. You are truly a wonderful friend! I hope someday on this side of eternity that we will be able to meet! God bless you greatly! Love and hugs!

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  14. My devotion today paralleled yours in many respects. The song for today was “Cornerstone,” which also included the words to the hymn, “The Solid Rock.” So, your devotion here just multiplied the encouragement God was already giving to my heart.

    My husband and I have been helping out our daughter and her husband with their new house and with their kids these past 3 weeks, and 1 more week to go, and we are both tired. I think my immune system must be weak right now, for I seem to be picking up germs from the kids and I get tired very fast. So, I have been praying a lot for strength from the Lord. And, he has been helping me to keep going, but he has also been giving me needed times of rest, too.

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    1. I can’t wait to read your post, dear Sue. I’m so sorry that I’m behind in my blog reading. But as you well know, moving is exhausting. I do hope that you will feel much better soon. I will pray so! Small children are notorious for germ “sharing.” Sigh. Love and huge, healthy hugs to you! 🙂

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      1. Thank you, Lynn. Yes, I know about moving. I have moved way too many times. Hope you get some rest soon. I am behind on my reading, too, since we are busy helping our children right now. You are only one person and all you can do is all you can do. Same here. The blogs will wait. Take care of yourself.

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    1. I’m so glad it resonated with you as well… I am in constant need of reminding myself of these truths. Such scrapes I get myself into! 😀 And thank you for your very kind thoughts! The move is a much bigger job than I anticipated. Whew! God bless you big time, my talented friend!

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  16. I like the way you communicate what is in your heart. For you to share your heart, I see that you need to keep it tender and open. You cultivate spiritual vulnerability. The ‘fertilizer’ for such ‘a delicate garden’ is a ‘chemical’ called ‘holy pain’. Sin hardens the heart and the capacity to feel or share love. Well done Sister! You are a hero who encourages many. Blessed ministry! God bless you!

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    1. Oh, dear Lia… you are such an inspiration to me! You share from your heart so boldly and openly! I am so thankful to God for introducing us through our blogs! You are a treasured and dear sister in Christ to me!! Love and hugs! ❤ ❤

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    1. Oh, I’m so glad, dear Efua! The city of refuge is such a beautiful symbol that I’m delighted that I could share it with you. Your posts are such a blessing to me and thus, I’m happy that I could give something to you! Love and huge hugs!!

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  18. When I as a boy, I read a book about a guy who had been sent to a sort of prison planet. What was different was how he had gotten himself there. He had turned himself in for a crime he had not committed. Why? Each citizen in the society was conditioned to voluntarily surrender to the authorities if he did something wrong. Then the authorities would just cart the culprit off to that prison planet. Nobody bothered to verify whether that conditioning had worked the way it was supposed to. The authorities were just happy the crime rate was low and law enforcement was easy.

    When we are not careful, we can put ourselves on that prison planet and for no good reason. Instead, if we have repented of our sins and put our trust in the Lord, we should be joyful. He will not cart us off willy-nilly to a prison planet. He is, as you say, our refuge.

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  19. Lynn,
    Oh how I relate to this…….all of us have been misunderstood when we unknowingly have hurt someone with our words or actions. Let us all take great comfort in knowing that man looks at the outward appearance, but GOD looks at the heart. GOD knew that in that moment, you had an innocent heart Lynn, and you truly meant for that woman to have the plant……yes?
    So what do we do…….persevere! Keep extending grace to those who need it, whether they deserve it or not! Bless your sweet and loving heart friend!

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    1. Oh, yes! I wish she had taken the plant when I offered it. I would much rather she have it. Sigh. Thank you so much for your thoughtful encouragement! It means so much to me! God bless you, my kind friend and kindred spirit!! ❤ ❤

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      1. You’re quite welcome, Lynn! I’m going to be quiet the next few days myself. I’m going to my mother’s house for the weekend and leaving my laptop at home! I just hope I don’t have withdrawals. Lol!

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      3. How was your weekend? Mine was wonderful! I survived without my laptop… but got plenty of teasing because I dared to leave it at home. 😀

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      4. Too funny! I think you should have been teasing the others because they could NOT leave their laptops home. 😉 My weekend was very productive; I’m beginning to see the end of the tunnel as far as the moving goes! Hurrah! 🙂 ❤

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  22. “i am so thankful that in Christ, we are not only saved from ultimate destruction, but that we also find grace to deflect the daily onslaughts of the enemy.”
    Amen, Lynn.
    God is definitely my (only) strength.
    I want to see the surveillance footage from the garden store. 🙂

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    1. Ha! Ha! So good, Bill! You are a true Private Investigator and an example to me of what it means to really live by faith… depending on God! Thank you for your kind words here! You encourage and inspire me! God bless you big time!

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  23. I have accidents all the time!! I overthink things and internalize how other people think of me. It gets very messy in my head very fast. You do what you can to show the light of Christ, and then let God take care of the rest. 🙂

    I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Light of the World blogger award. 🙂 It is an award that goes to blogger who are shining the light of Christ and on the gospel. Congrats! No pressure to do the award.

    https://nobledevotionblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/light-of-the-world-award/

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    1. We are so alike, TR! Love it! And thank you with all my heart for the nomination! You truly honor me and I’m incredibly humbled and grateful!! I’ve left you a message on your blog concerning this award. Love and huge hugs!! ❤ ❤

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  25. Very good reasoning Lynn, Jesus is indeed our Refuge and Strength and He Protects us in the Storms that life brings. King David although he also made some big mistakes later on he was very sorry and asked to be forgiven and for his heart and spirit to be changed and renewed and than his focus was 100 percent on God.

    I also understand Lynn about unintentional actions or words that hurt others. As you know I tell jokes but Blond ones are now no longer in my Laugh Box or Irish ones.

    I had asked God as I shared with you on my Blog to clean up my Act and that week when I was being driven to a Convention with 3 other Woman I was telling Blond Jokes in the Car, well no one could escape could they, yes for sure they had to listen but the Blond Woman in the front didn’t laugh like the rest had, so I asked her if she had got it and she said; “Yes I got it you think I’m stupid just because I have Blond hair, I said come on you gota Laugh at yourself sometimes and she said well you laugh at yourself and leave me alone!!! Wow if that was not bad enough nearly the same thing happened at a Party the following week with another Blond.

    So I Phoned a close friend in Sydney who was a Blond, I had been telling her Blond jokes for over 30 years. I asked if I had upset her, she said that although she didn’t like the jokes she knew I wasn’t seeking to hurt her.

    I than said to my friend; “Don’t be upset, it was a Brunette who made up the Jokes because she was jealous of Blondes, she laughed and all was well but to be sure Lynn Noooooo more Blond jokes or Irish ones especially after listening to an Irish Man for over half an hour trying to convince everyone at a Convention that he was not dumb!

    Christian Love Always – Anne.

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    1. Oh, dear… poor you! But what a wonderful response to the situation you had! You are so thoughtful and kind…taking into consideration as soon as you were made aware of others’ feelings! I so admire that, dear Anne! You truly are a “doer of the Word.” Christ dwells powerfully within you and that is certainly demonstrated through your thoughts, words, and actions! May God bless you again and again for your beautiful faith. You are an inspiration to all who know you!! ❤ ❤

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  26. Thank you Lynn, my Loving, Uplifting, Compassionate Encouraging and extremely Kind Sister in Christ Jesus.

    I wish it were True Lynn but not all value or appreciate me and some have hurt me greatly by their abuse both in words and actions and with Blogging too but Jesus said when we follow Him and stand up for His Truth that some would even hate us as they did Him. But those who do value me and see me as a person of Worth like you do Lynn which I’m very Thankful for, are also seeing their own reflection. So my dear younger Sister, I just want to say before I go to bed in Aussie Land, that You are…….

    So thoughtful and kind Lynn! You truly are a “doer of the Word.” Christ dwells powerfully within you Lynn and that is certainly demonstrated through your thoughts, words, and actions! May God bless you again and again Lynn for your beautiful faith. You are an inspiration to all who know you!!

    Yes may God Bless you greatly Lynn for your Faithfulness to Value and to seek to Uplift others, you are indeed a Beautiful Christian Woman. If only it were possible to Thank your Mum and give her a big Hug for giving her daughter Lynn the right foundation, I have no doubt she would be very Proud of you today Lynn.

    Thanking you again – Anne,

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    1. You are too kind, dearest Anne! But I am so very grateful for your beautiful words of encouragement here! Thank you with all my heart and then, some! And let me just say that your thoughts about my Mom have brought grateful tears to my eyes! Thank you; thank you, dearest Anne!! Love and the hugest of hugs!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

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