II Samuel 22:1-4 - And David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 3 my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 4 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
David had sought refuge in the mountains countless times while being hunted by King Saul. He knew both the discomfort of being exposed and vulnerable, and the peace of being safely tucked away in a strong fortress.
Now David, as an old man, writes a hymn of praise to God, after being delivered once again, and calls God his salvation, his tower, his refuge.
Question: Do you have a refuge? Perhaps not from a ravaging army, but from a smarting conscience?
Queston: Do you have a safe place to run when you realize that there are sins in your past that cannot be undone, mistakes that cannot be corrected, wrongs that cannot be righted? Why? Well to be really simple here….
When your sins come rushing in on you, when you come to realize how far short you have fallen of the perfect and good standard of God, then your first tendency may be to save yourself -- but you cannot be a refuge for yourself. You need Someone else to shelter you from the just wrath of God. You need the perfect goodness of Jesus to be your refuge, your high tower of defense.
When you feel exposed and helpless before the all-seeing gaze of God, realizing that you are a sinner and that your only hope is a savior to intercede for you, know that Jesus Christ is a strong tower, a refuge into which you can run and find safety. This refuge will last, the tower will hold, this savior will save.
But, let me say this once more….
You CANNOT save yourself! Jesus died for you and He is waiting for you to realize that and come to Him for help. So….
(Parts taken from Daily Bread Devotional)
