Refuge in God

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which he wrote completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.” (Psalm 7:1–2, ESV)

O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge

Heavenly Father, I have to admit that I often look for refuge in flimsy places. I often look to material things for refuge: money, food, objects. Even though they always leave me unsatisfied—unprotected—I continue looking to them for refuge. Why, Lord?

Father, help me look more fully to you for my refuge. As the world seems to spin out of control around me, when the waves seem like they are going to overturn my life, pull me in close and protect me. Turn my eyes and heart toward you. Help me climb into the lap of your protection. 

Father, you are the Mighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. You are the one who created and sustains all these things I fear. That means you are the only one who can truly protect me. So, help me look to you, Father. Be my refuge and strength. 

Save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.

Father, sometimes it feels like I am surrounded by enemies. Maybe not physical enemies—although there have been times—but enemies nonetheless. Some weeks it seems like one bad thing happens after another. The car breaks down, the fridge breaks, I stub my toe, my child gets hurt. Each event pursuing me, each event throwing a punch, each event seems like it’s tearing me into pieces. Father, sometimes these events break me down to where I feel hopeless—like no one will deliver me.

So, Father, I ask you to save me from these things that attack me. Deliver me from these enemies that try to steal my joy. Protect me from them, I beg you, Father. Help me see that things are not hopeless. Help me see that you are my deliverer and my protector. 

Yet, Father, I also know that delivering me from these things means changing my heart and mind. Maybe these things try to steal my job because I’ve placed my joy in them. Maybe the enemy isn’t the difficulties, but the enemy is in my heart—my sinful nature. Father, forgive me. I would have thought I’d be further along by now. Yet, I’m not. I need you more than ever. 

Father, I not only need your forgiveness, but I need your strength. I need your Holy Spirit to guide me and empower me to live the live you’ve called me to live. I want to find forgiveness in you. I want to find refuge in you. I want to be empowered and guided by you. Help me trust you, Father, as I keep my eyes on you.