Where do you go in
times of trouble?
The name of the LORD
is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. (Prov. 18:10)
This
weekend Canadians are celebrating the Victoria Day long weekend; the unofficial
start of the summer season. In the past they have been able to go and take
refuge at a summer cottage, or to travel and be with friends and family. But
this year is going to be different.
It
is interesting to watch as people’s normal schedules or routines have been
altered by the conditions and travel restrictions that Covid-19 has placed upon
us. The standard places where we have been able to seek rest and refuge have
been lost or uprooted. It’s not easy to have your whole world turned
upside-down.
A
few years ago Rhonda and I had the opportunity to travel to Spain, Portugal and
Morocco. We visited several medieval castles; the places of refuge of kings and
kingdoms remain as a testimony to the different realms that ruled the land,
whether it be pre-Christian Phoenicians, Roman Emperors, Moorish princes, or
post-12th Century Christian kingdoms.
One
of the castles that stood out was the Kasbah-Medina
of Tangier, Morocco. The layer-cake effect of the different conquered kingdoms
stands as a reminder of man’s inability to control his circumstances or to keep
safe. The walled cities and strong towers built by the hands of men will all
day come to ruin, and eventually be nothing more than a museum piece.
David
spoke of a refuge in which we can rest and put our trust:
My help comes from
the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your
Protector will not slumber. Behold, the Protector of Israel will not slumber or
sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. … He will preserve your soul. The LORD will
watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:2-5, 7-8)
The
LORD is the same refuge for us today, a sure and safe place to go when
everything around us is changing.
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