Christ Our Refuge

“For You have been my refuge…”
Psalm 61:3 (ESV)

For Christ to be our refuge, He must be greater than the issues and the storms we face. His grace is always sufficient, more than the extent of our needs. The sanctuary of Himself is beyond our comprehension. In every life circumstance, the anchor holds, and His mercies are renewed each morning for the true pilgrim of faith.

He holds us in our failures, disappointments, and night seasons. He keeps us through broken relationships and wounding experiences. When all else fails, He remains faithful.

In lonely and desperate times, there are resources for us to face the next day. The darkness of night must give way to the dawn’s growing light. Despair will flee in the Light of His countenance. His Word beckons the weary one to arise and shine, for He will not fail His own (Isaiah 60:1).

“…Thou hast enlarged me
when I was in distress …”
Psalm 4:1

The night seasons will bring greater illumination. In our dependency upon Him, we become more intent on learning and being taught of Him. He covers us and unfolds to us a deeper understanding of Himself.

“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me…”
Psalm 16:7 (ESV)

To those who are pliable in His hands, the crucible will lead to the crown of His Life. There are treasures in Christ hidden in dark places. The tread of the weary pilgrim of faith will culminate in a life governed by the love of Christ. Love is the crowning jewel of His end in each of us.

The dark and trying times are meant to dry up and expose the miserable resources of self, for our strength obscures Christ’s beauty. Our Poverty of Spirit becomes the very means by which we touch His vast resources.  His all-pervading love eclipses boasting and self-worth. In His purposes, the refuge of Christ is not to be a temporal experience until the storm passes but our dwelling place for eternity.

Knowledge, our generosity, and even the giftings of His Spirit, if not governed and inspired by love, will leave the soul bereft of His Joy and wonder.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)

“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,
but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)

Related Post: The Nature of Love

“But you know, He loves until we love.
He is patient until we learn patience.
He is faithful until we are.
He endured so that we might endure.”
Jim Moore
(a very dear brother to me)

Brian Troxel