Refuge (Dictionary): Shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
Refuge (Bible): Refuge, asylum; return; retire; withdraw; depart (underlying idea perhaps of taking refuge from danger or of going into retirement; lofty stronghold; refuge; stronghold; unassailable.
The other day, my wife and I were watching an international volleyball match. The players were amazing but the matches were dull and just lacked the normal excitement you would expect. What was missing? There was very little play by play. Talk about boring! I was amazed at how quickly we lost interest and how much we needed those commentators!
Also, have you noticed the huge impact background music has in the movies? If they removed the music, the movie would quickly lose appeal and be incredibly boring. This would especially be true of action movies. The thing is, we may not think about or be completely aware of the music as we watch the movie. But the Director has carefully orchestrated the music to bolster our pleasure in watching. The point is, we need the music and the constant play by play rhetoric in sports. This seems like a good place for a metaphor.
There are many people who reject Christianity and thereby miss the salvation offered by God. They would rather substitute some other religion or belief system which unfortunately leads to darkness. In doing so, they miss the greatest gift ever offered: forgiveness of sin and salvation! They also miss the truth that God is speaking his own “play by play” (using a metaphor here). God is speaking each day and each moment to His beloved creation. It is there for all to see!
Psalm 19:1-6: The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat” (NASB)
God has left His imprint on all creation and continues to do so:
Romans 1:18-21: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 2:7-11: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” (NKJV)
The thing is, God has His plan in place for every person and is always speaking. And God has His way of directing what is happening in our life. One of the most wonderful ways He guides our walk with Him is through the infilling and leading of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s “play by play” in action!
Psalm 59:16-17: 16 But as for me, I will sing each morning about your power and mercy. For you have been my high tower of refuge, a place of safety in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, to you I sing my praises; for you are my high tower of safety, my God of mercy. (NASB)
Earlier we also discussed the outcome of a movie without music.. As we look at the above Scripture, we see that the Holy Spirit led King David into worship and praise! This is where the Lord would want us. Without the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives we are subject to the world’s wisdom and will lose our way. We would become like a movie lacking music! But God provides us with our own life song to sing! Let us also remember what Jesus said to the woman at the well:
John 4:23-24: 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. (NIV)
God is providing His music in our lives in the form of worship and joy. Those who walk away from God’s offer of salvation will miss out on the joy of worshiping in Spirit and truth.
Ephesians 5:19: Talk with each other much about the Lord, quoting psalms and hymns and singing sacred songs, making music in your hearts to the Lord. (TLB)
In summary, God is always speaking to His creation. He does this through the creation, itself, His word and the Holy Spirit. People who are lost and unsaved know there is a void in their lives because they have no commentator! Only God can open the Bible and cause us to experience the joy of worship. Those lost know something is missing. They need Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit!. As God’s ambassadors, let us bring the good news, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to those we know are lost.
Father, help us see the spiritual void in those around us. Help us to bring the good news that there is music and there is a heavenly voice to fill their emptiness. We humbly ask in Jesus name. Amen
