Thoughts for the Day

Song of Trust and Security in God.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight....

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Anyone who has been to Ireland will have seen some of the round towers (there are over 60 of them) built sometime between the 7th and 10th century BCE. Although not much is known about them, they are almost all at the sites of Christian churches. Were they watch towers, bell towers, or places of safety when raiders came - or indeed all three? Well no-one is absolutely sure but it does seem likely that they were used as places of refuge in times of danger when under attack.

In Psalm 16 David reminds us of the need for refuge when there is danger, and although we may not be in danger of attack from enemies at the present, we all find ourselves fearful on occasion as we saw recently in one of these 'Thoughts for the Day'. Sometimes this can also be for loved ones perhaps awaiting a diagnosis or surgery, or because of a risky lifestyle, or dangerous work. None of us can climb the tower to seek refuge, but we can seek refuge in God and allow Him to protect us as well as those for whom we pray. Notice David sees this protection as continuing beyond death!

So when we wake in the night and are afraid, put your trust in God, and go back to sleep! When the troubles of the day disturb us, we need to hand it over to Him, and go on with our life for even at the most unstable moments, Yahweh is still our "chosen portion and our cup".

Heavenly Father,
help us to instinctively turn to you as our refuge -
our place of safety - when things are difficult,
knowing that you are there already waiting for us.
Guard us when danger threatens,
and quieten our minds when we are afraid.
Amen.