Where Should We Live?

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
-Psalm 91:9

I know it is weird to quote a fragment of a sentence, but I think this one is important.  This verse points out the action that brings forth good gifts from God, which is the second half of the sentence. I want to spend some time looking at the word refuge. I rarely find myself in physical danger where I am running for shelter, but I do have days where I feel overwhelmed with emotions, tasks, or worry.   My normal response to them is either try my best to accomplish tasks quickly or to distract myself from the worries that are too big for me to fix. 

Our Psalmist asks us to turn to God when things are too big and overwhelming.  Making God our refuge is not simply recounting our needs, rather we first take a moment to know the one we are turning to for help. Many passages in the Bible tell us that God is compassionate and full or grace and mercy, and is overflowing with steadfast love.  We know that God is all powerful and continually faithful.  When we recognize who God is, we are better able to see the entire habitat of our faith.  Prayer is more than turning to God in a moment, but it is making the reality of a loving and liberating God the habitat in which we live. 

May God’s love be your habitation this week.

Matt+