Courtney Gilmore Who do you run to when you need help, when you are scared, sad, or need advice? Have you ever been in a situation where no matter how hard they tried, no one could help you? We often turn to people because they are visible and we can hear their voices audibly. There’s nothing wrong with going to friends and family. God gave us each other for a reason. But there is no better person to run to than God.
Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. Years ago, I was dealing with something very difficult. I did everything I knew to do before I went to anyone else. But it did not take long before I realized I needed help. So, I began going to friends, family, and people in the church. So, many people tried to help. Each time, I was hopeful this person would be the one who could. But no matter how hard they tried, no one was able to do what I needed.
One night, when things got particularly difficult, I thought, I have to call someone. Then I looked at the time, and it was 2 a.m. I couldn’t call anyone at that hour. But my next thought was even worse. I couldn’t even call anyone the next day because there was no one to call. I had exhausted all my resources. There was no one left. Then, God brought a verse to my mind.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1
God Was My Refuge
This reminded me that God is always there. He is always available, and He never gets tired of us calling on Him. I had prayed every day since my situation had begun, but I also kept trying to find people to help me, and I kept trying to help myself. Every day was a new day of wondering how do I fix this. Who can help me? Finally, I surrendered fully to God. There was no one else. Every time I thought of calling someone, I remembered that there was no one but God who could help me. Then, I would go to Him in prayer.
It is amazing the things the Lord can do. He eventually saved me completely, but in the meantime, He was my refuge and strength. I kept running to Him, and He kept giving me everything I needed to make it through. I can’t explain to you how God can comfort you unless you have felt it yourself, but it’s more completely than any person can. Throughout the next year or so, every time I started to lose hope, He would give me a little sign that this too would pass. It truly felt as if He reached His hand directly out to me at times and gave me just what I needed to make it through.
Just at the Break of Dawn
The whole time I was praying, I did not know what my end would be. But I knew it could not be in better hands. I kept telling God that I would not give up. I would trust and pray until death. Although I admit that I also added, “But, please, Lord, don’t let it be much longer! Let there be an end, and don’t let it be when I’m old and gray.” I also begged Him that one day I would be standing on the other side, saying I was stronger than before I went in. “Work this together for my good and your glory, Lord.”
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
I prayed these things day after day, night after night. As I waited, I felt His hand on me strengthening and leading me. Every time it felt like too much, He gave me a little taste of my future life so I would not be discouraged. Then, one day, out of the blue, in a single moment, everything changed.
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
Psalm 46:5
I have been on the other side now for many years, and I still thank Him almost every day for the new life He has given me. I am definitely stronger than when I went in. The Lord, used that situation to teach me things I would have never learned otherwise. But more than that, my relationship with Him is stronger. He is my refuge and strength, my ever present help in times of trouble. He revealed His power to me, and I learned firsthand that I can trust Him with my life.
Let Him Be Your Refuge
I do not know what your struggle is today or why you need a refuge. I do not know who you run to and find inadequate. It could be a doctor for a sickness, or it could be a relationship or an addiction. You may need money or help to know which way to go. Maybe you messed up, and you need forgiveness and rescue. Maybe you don’t need a refuge right now at all. But chances are that one day you will. So, please consider the Lord in that time. There’s truly no one like Him.
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
“To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power. Not one is missing.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, He increases strength… Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:13-14, 22, 25-26, 28-29, 31
Run to God
No matter how hard anyone tries or how much they care, they cannot protect us from everything that could harm us, give us ultimate peace and comfort, or perfect advice and direction. They cannot always rescue us when we have gotten ourselves in a bind. People are not always available.
They also can’t see the future or know how every action will affect each person individually. They do not know enough to work everything together for the good of every person. God is the only One that can do that. He is the only One we can follow blindly because He is always right and will never lead us astray. He never makes mistakes.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
No strength, structure, or savvy on earth has more power than God. You can trust Him with your life. The Lord can save, protect, guide, comfort, and advise you perfectly. He alone is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. He can be your refuge and strength if you will only run to Him.
My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense. I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory. The rock of my strength and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:5-8
Footnote on Verses
Romans 8:18 talks about suffering for God and receiving glory in heaven. Psalm 46:5 is about the holy city. But knowing God can do these things helped me even though I knew it was referring to something else.
Links
This is an excerpt from “God is Our Refuge and King?” as taught on YouTube, Podcast, and written on Substack. Read the beginning of the lesson for free. Or read it in its entirety, along with previous lessons over Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges, for $6/month or $60/year. Once subscribed, you’ll receive one lesson each week after that by email. Cancel anytime.
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