REFUGE The word was adamant to obtain my attention this evening before Bible study. So, I asked myself- "What is it about this word that I need to know?" According to The Merriam Webster dictionary the meaning is: noun 1. shelter or protection from danger or trouble 2. a place that provides shelter or protection. This meaning I have known since...well probably since I could read. I knew this particular word was meant for me to do something with. How could I possibly do something with a word? After all, it's just a word. And the age old saying rambled through my thoughts: "Stick and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." I'll be the first to stand up and say- that's a lie! It's one way to soothe hurt feelings. It's a blanket of uselessness offering no true warmth and giving a false sense to the person attempting to comfort a saddened soul. Words can be many things: inspiring, truthful, thankful, grateful, encouraging. On the other spectrum words can be just down right mean, condescending, belligerent, and disgraceful. I, myself, have spat out words of hate and anger. As I am getting older, I realize the importance of words and just how they impact those around me. I choose to be different. I choose to inspire. I choose to encourage. I also am honest and will speak the truth even when it hurts as long as it isn't brutal. Yes, I have learned to filter myself and think before I speak. I still mess up at times- I'm a work in progress.
We come back to refuge. Before the study started, I had a few minutes to ponder what and why I needed to know this. I opened my Bible (NLT Study Bible) and flipped to the back to find refuge listed in the dictionary/concordances with various verses that quoted the word. It listed 8 different scriptures that contained refuge. Quickly with assertiveness, I flipped to the Psalm's since it had the most noted and I was reading Psalmsprior to the word being burned into my thoughts.
Psalm 2:12 Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities-for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him.
It's a verse of warning and comfort-oxymoron right? Not really. God is giving his followers a heads up. He's saying hey you- I'm sending my son Jesus and you better listen to him or I'm going to get really mad. You saw what I did to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, let that be a warning. And to those who do listen, you'll find joy and he will protect you.
I then moved on to the next verse I found.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Wow- can you even imagine FOREVER?! I tried- I can't. Happy, singing (although hopefully I get a new voice cause let me tell you- I crack windows! not good folks...not good). We will praise our Maker for all eternity.
The next scripture I flipped to is what made the puzzle pieces finally fit together.
2 Samuel 22:2-4 He sang: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies."
Did you see it? It's right there!! He is my refuge...the one who saves me from violence. Violence... Domestic violence... Safe Under the Willow...Jillian Davenport.... sound familiar?
In SUW Jillian seeks refuge tucking herself under the branches of her beloved weeping willow tree. Why is this tree so important? It's the one place she can go to and find comfort when all those demons claw at her heart threatening to annihilate the life she has worked so hard to have: happiness, acceptance, and love. But most importantly, this is God offering her refuge. Jillian remained faithful to the Creator and in turn He offered her protection. A peace that can only be achieved by her faith. God was her rock, her safety, her savior- she found the refuge under the willow that He offered her and she praised Him for the grace and love received.
Why was refuge a big deal tonight? Because he saved me from violence...
We come back to refuge. Before the study started, I had a few minutes to ponder what and why I needed to know this. I opened my Bible (NLT Study Bible) and flipped to the back to find refuge listed in the dictionary/concordances with various verses that quoted the word. It listed 8 different scriptures that contained refuge. Quickly with assertiveness, I flipped to the Psalm's since it had the most noted and I was reading Psalmsprior to the word being burned into my thoughts.
Psalm 2:12 Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities-for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him.
It's a verse of warning and comfort-oxymoron right? Not really. God is giving his followers a heads up. He's saying hey you- I'm sending my son Jesus and you better listen to him or I'm going to get really mad. You saw what I did to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, let that be a warning. And to those who do listen, you'll find joy and he will protect you.
I then moved on to the next verse I found.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Wow- can you even imagine FOREVER?! I tried- I can't. Happy, singing (although hopefully I get a new voice cause let me tell you- I crack windows! not good folks...not good). We will praise our Maker for all eternity.
The next scripture I flipped to is what made the puzzle pieces finally fit together.
2 Samuel 22:2-4 He sang: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies."
Did you see it? It's right there!! He is my refuge...the one who saves me from violence. Violence... Domestic violence... Safe Under the Willow...Jillian Davenport.... sound familiar?
In SUW Jillian seeks refuge tucking herself under the branches of her beloved weeping willow tree. Why is this tree so important? It's the one place she can go to and find comfort when all those demons claw at her heart threatening to annihilate the life she has worked so hard to have: happiness, acceptance, and love. But most importantly, this is God offering her refuge. Jillian remained faithful to the Creator and in turn He offered her protection. A peace that can only be achieved by her faith. God was her rock, her safety, her savior- she found the refuge under the willow that He offered her and she praised Him for the grace and love received.
Why was refuge a big deal tonight? Because he saved me from violence...
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