Reflect on the following:

Have you ever felt you can’t take anymore? Difficulty after difficulty, hurdle after hurdle, loss after loss seems to have overcome your ability to cope. Overwhelmed you simply want to collapse in a heap and give up. It’s a hopeless feeling. And sadly a common one in this world of corruption, deception, disappointment and danger.

Yet as difficult and dangerous as this life really can be, the Bible speaks of a gentle, comforting God who offers us rest and refuge.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. Psalm 91:4

Like a baby bird cosy and sheltered under the large strong wings of its mother, this verse creates in my mind the image of God as a soft, safe, warm place I can simply cuddle up in and rest without worry.

This doesn’t mean the world is safe or easy. We still need to go out and experience the storms of life. And the storms can really hurt. The storms can cause damage. But with God I am safe. In my relationship with God I can rest in his love and care. I can depend on his faithfulness. I do not need to strive or be on guard with Him. With Him I can simply be.

Refuge in God is seen most clearly and only made possible by Jesus Christ who declares “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). When we come to and trust Jesus, his death and resurrection has secured forgiveness for all our wrongdoings and prepared a safe and everlasting home for us in God’s presence.

Are you looking for this rest and refuge from the storms of life? Come to God through prayer now and you will find it.

PRAYER:

Dear God,

I need rest. I need refuge. Life seems more than I can bear sometimes. Please help me. Please forgive me. I trust Jesus’ death and resurrection has secured my forgiveness and eternal safety with you. Let me rest safely under your wings.

Amen