An entirely understandable reaction to another terror attack in London on Friday is fear – indeed this is one of the terrorists’ primary objectives. However, during my Bible reading on Friday morning I read these lovely words in Psalm 62 v5-8 which are worth quoting in full:
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my help comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
Following the recommended approach at last Sunday afternoon’s special prayer time for the ‘Who Cares? Hampshire’ mission, it is well worth reading through these words a few times to imprint them on our minds, then prayerfully thinking about what they are saying to us. One great principle is immediately clear – whilst the dictionary may define a refuge as a place or state of safety from danger, our refuge is in a Person, God Himself – and we can and must find refuge in Him ALONE (i.e. not in Him plus anything / anyone else).
However, one particular aspect of this ‘refuge / safe position’ relates to an unfortunate omission in the NIV – I understand that when David writes “I shall not be shaken” he actually says “I shall not be seriously shaken” – this is also the case in v2 when “I shall never be shaken” should be “I shall never be seriously shaken”. The New Bible Commentary says “This is realism: life has its shaking experiences but v6 is also true, we cannot be shaken out of our top-security”.
Peace and Grace
Paul