God as an abiding refuge

In the scriptures, there are multiple passages presenting Yahweh as a refuge. In fact, one could say that refuge is one of His nicknames, a meaningful description of His character in relation to us. He is an available refuge for us to come to, always welcoming, a place of safety in times of trouble. I personally appreciate this facet of God, Creator of the universe. It is relieving to know that there is a 'place' where we can go when uncertainty or difficulty comes. We are, in some sense, safe from being helpless or homeless because He promises to be the shelter every human will ever need, available in every present location, reachable to us.

But there is something else that this expression of Him evokes: the fulfillment of the longing for a place to belong—a home—where we can permanently belong. The grace of God is not only a refuge, a shelter for the day of storms, but also a cozy place for sweet days, a home to abide no matter what. A home to always come back to.

I share these thoughts because maybe others also have that longing—a longing for a safe, loving, sheltering place where they can take refuge and be at home. My emphasis is on the opportunity we have to access such a place, anywhere we are at the time, independently of the circumstances around us. We have a loving God who is an open and accessible place, a refuge, a permanent home where we can belong and abide.

"God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble."

Psalm 46