How Is God a Refuge for Believers?

There are several words in the English language that we just kind of pick up as we go along. Honestly, most of them are this way. We’ve heard them used in a certain context and formulated images of what they mean. What image does the word “refuge” conjure up in your mind?

If you add another “e” it becomes refugee. I wonder what kind of image that brings up for you? That’s a phrase that is rather politicized these days. And that often makes a word dangerous—because we tend to weigh a word down with baggage and then carry that baggage with us everywhere, even into the Bible.

What I’m trying to say is that if we aren’t careful, we’ll either gloss over really important words or, worse yet, we’ll impose our own meaning onto the text. The image of God being a refuge is one rich in meaning that is found in several places in Scripture, Psalm 46:1 being one of the more prominent. What does this phrase mean? And particularly what is the meaning in Psalm 46?

What Is the Context of Psalm 46:1?

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

It is always good to consider the context of a passage of Scripture. Sometimes the Psalms give us clues to their context in their title. Psalm 46 only kind of helps us out, unfortunately. All it says is, “To the choirmaster, of the sons of Korah, according to Alamoth. A song.” There isn’t much help there.

The Sons of Korah got their beginning in Numbers 16. Korah was a Levite who rebelled against Moses and Aaron and was punished — but his ancestors lived on and became a significant part of Israelite worship. By the time of King David, they were leaders in temple worship and they kept this role while the temple remained. Many place Psalm 46 during a time of Hezekiah’s reign when the Assyrians were invading. Some narrow in on 2 Chronicles 20 as a background.

There might be a reason why the specific historical context isn’t mentioned; namely, that the people of God seem to always be getting themselves in trouble and needing God as a refuge. We might say, then, that the context of Psalm 46 is for anytime you’ve gotten yourself in a pickle and you need rescue. It’s about continuing to trust in the face of some overwhelming threat.

What Does It Mean to Be a Refuge?

A refuge is one of those words that has become a bit of a metaphor. It’s used that way in the Bible too — but it has a specific meaning. A refuge is originally a shelter where a vulnerable animal, or even a vulnerable person, can hide from attacks, storms, or even the sun.

In ancient times people sought refuge in fortified cities, high mountain strongholds, or even natural caves. It is this word, and even this psalm, that Martin Luther had in mind when he penned the words of his battle hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It is the place you go for protection.

The Bible often uses the concept of refuge to describe protection. In Numbers 35, God established cities of refuge. If you accidentally killed somebody and needed a place to flee to avoid revenge, you could go to one of these cities. They symbolized God’s mercy and justice — places you could go to for safety until their case was resolved.

Kings also built fortresses and towers to defend their people against enemies. These were considered to be the place you’d go to find safety. Imagine a warrior out in the field of battle, exhausted, losing the battle, and hoping and praying to just get back to the castle for protection. God picks up this metaphor and refers to himself as a place of refuge.

A refuge is the place you go for safety. And a refugee is a person who is seeking that safety. God is our refuge. We are the refugee. The safety of a refugee is only as certain as the thing in which he or she is trusting in. If a refugee comes to a castle, thinking it will offer her protection, but she’s turned away — this is no sure refuge. Or if she goes to a place for safety but it turns out to be a rickety old shack, this too is no certain refuge.

A good refuge is both welcoming and certain. So what does it mean for God to be our refuge?

What Does It Mean for God to Be Our Refuge?

The Bible paints the picture that humanity pursues many places for refuge. Most all of them are like that rickety old shack. Others are a bit more buttressed. They can hold us for a season and make us feel quite safe. But at the end of the day there is only one sure and certain refuge — God Himself.

The type of refuge we need is one that doesn’t crack. One that cannot be overtaken by enemies. And Scripture declares that this is our God. None can snatch us out of His hand. When we come to Him for protection, vulnerable and needy, we find that He is a safe place. He is the ultimate source of security, protection, and peace.

A person in dire need of rescue comes to a very powerful country with a foreboding castle. Just finding the castle is only half his battle. The refuge isn’t much good to him if he doesn’t gain admittance. In order to truly be safe, you not only have to be trusting in something secure, but also accepted by that which is secure.

This is where the second half of Psalm 46:1 is so refreshing. God is a “very present help.” This means we will always gain admittance when we come to God as our refuge and say, “I need help, can you protect me?” He doesn’t turn us or anyone away who asks to come in for shelter.

If you get a chance to explore the Mark Twain Cave in Hannibal, Missouri you’ll notice names scrawled along the walls. One of these may possibly belong to a young Samuel L. Clemons — otherwise known as Mark Twain. Long before it became a tourist destination it was a place of refuge — often for bandits hiding out from the police. And these would put their name on the walls as a way of saying, “thanks for the temporary shelter ol’ cave.” It’s a way of making themselves known.

But Zephaniah 1:7 tells us a different story. It tells us that God knows those who take refuge in him. It’s an intimate word. It’s his way of saying that he delights in those who find rescue with Him. He doesn’t begrudgingly accept us — He loves to be a place of refuge. We don’t have to identify ourselves or come to Him as a stranger. He already knows everything about us.

Where Will You Run?

Listen, we live in a messed-up world. We’re broken people, surrounded by broken people, and things don’t work as they are supposed to. When we add to this cocktail not only a propensity for wickedness but the actual committing of such deeds, we’re going to be in need of a place of refuge. When trouble comes, you’re going to run somewhere. Some will find refuge in achievements, financial security, relationships, or even distractions. But all of these have cracks in the wall. They can’t hold. Ony God is “sure and steadfast.”

And you don’t have to worry about being turned away either. If you seek God, know that He is a present help. All you have to do is admit your need for the refuge and don’t try to bring all of your silly provisions in there. Come as you are — vulnerable and needy. And God is happy to bring you into an unshakeable refuge.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Photo by Hanneke Luijting