Psalm 142:5

Psalm 142:5

You are my refuge

There is a way of thinking, for many believers, that supports the view that our walk with the Lord should be a trouble-free existence, with all problems solved, all difficulties overcome, and all worries and anxieties common to man turned aside by faith. Some go further and dare to suggest that if we are overwhelmed by illness, financial woes, mental trials and the like, it is because we lack faith and are not trusting in the Lord as we should! In truth, the opposite is the case. The deeper we are prepared to go in our relationship with the Lord, the weaker we will be and the more we will need to learn dependence and faith in His power and strength, rather than our own. We sometimes sing, “Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire is to be holy.” The words come out easily, but dare we really challenge the Lord to take us through the fire of refinement? Are our hearts really desiring to be holy? If they are, then we must go through trials and troubles, sometimes beyond anything we could ever wish to bear. 

It seems that David was learning such lessons at a very young age. If he was to walk faithfully with the Lord as the King over Israel, he must learn to humble himself and be broken before he came to the throne. And learn he did! “Lord, You are my refuge. Lord, while I am a mortal man living in this land, You alone will be my portion and my provider.” David’s troubles did not come upon him by chance, this was his testing place, this was where the future sovereign must be trained and prepared for kingship. It was in the depths of his despair and anxiety that he learned to trust and obey. 

I’m sorry to say this, if our brand of faith promises a bed of roses, we need to think again! If we truly desire to walk closely with the Lord, then we must take up our cross and follow. There may be days of peace and joy, but there will also be times of tribulation and unexplainable sorrow and pain. That is the road to dependence and trust, and it is a journey that many turn away from.  

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