Our first point of refuge
by Jeremy Lie
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You who live in the shelter of the Most High … will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust’ (Psalm 91:1,2).
Read Psalm 91:1,2,9–16
Chapter 12 of Matthew’s Gospel can be a tough text to tackle. Jesus is not unaccustomed to challenging our discipleship and holding us to high account when it comes to God’s mission on earth. But I believe we have seen a throughline across the texts this week. In challenging and exposing us to the reality of our actions and motivations, Jesus hopes we might find our way back to his love and mercy. Psalm 91 reminds us of this.
Is God our first point of refuge? Or do we go elsewhere first? Do we distract ourselves with dopamine habits when we need safety and security? Do we exhaust ourselves by doubling down on work that must be done professionally or around the house? Do we take out our frustrations about our own inadequacy on the people around us through anger, passive-aggressive behaviours or hurtful remarks? Where do we go when we need refuge?
God urges us towards his presence and invites us into his embrace. No wrong action is so hurtful, foolish or unthinkable that God’s love cannot cover and hold. We bring all of us into the presence of God, even the parts we would rather not show others or think about ourselves.
So, what are those parts for you? What motivations of your heart have you been harbouring that Jesus invites you to surrender to him? What words and ways of speaking have you been carrying that Jesus says now is the time to do away with? What bad fruit have you been producing that you’ve either ignored or justified as somehow good? Bring them, too.
Psalm 91 tells us that God is our refuge and fortress and that he is worth trusting with our lives. There is a distinction between simply believing God is good and trusting God is good. When we trust in God, we should be entrusting something to God. It costs us something; it makes us vulnerable and at risk of emotional exposure. But the power of trust is that the beauty of the reward far outweighs the cost of the risk.
We pray, Lord: teach me to trust you with every part of who I am. Please help me find shelter in your wings and for you to be my first point of call, not my last resort. Guide me in daily devotion to you so that I might live in a constant state of prayer, a never-ending conversation with the creator of existence. Thank you for your personal nature, which enables me to relate to you. Amen.
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Ministry from the Australian College of Theology. In his first year of study, he completed the Frontier Training in Albury NSW, which was formative in his passion for mission and church planting. Jeremy is now studying for his Masters of Secondary Teaching through the Australian Catholic University and loves weaving together students’ faith and education.
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