“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” – Nahum 1:7, NIV

In the course of my work over the years, I’ve had opportunities to interact with refugees from across the region.

I’ve always not been able to put myself in the shoes of a refugee, who has fled from danger back home to seek asylum in a strange country.

Uganda is not only one of the top refugee-hosting countries in Africa but also the most refugee-friendly country in the world, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Worldwide, people seek refuge to be safe from trouble in their homeland.

I believe Uganda is blessed because by being a refuge to millions of foreigners, we’re acting like God, whom the people of God always acclaimed and celebrated as a ‘Refuge.’

God instructed Moses to set up six ‘cities of refuge’ in the Promised Land for people to flee to in order to be safe (see Numbers 35; Joshua 20).

These cities exemplified the virtues of God’s mercy and grace to those faced with unfortunate circumstances.

Additionally, the Law of God stated that if a slave were to flee to your home for refuge, you were not supposed to hand him over back to their master.

You would have to live with them and not oppress them (Deuteronomy 23:15–16).

Against that background, it made lots of sense for the helpless and scared people of God to relate to Him as their ‘refuge.’

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7).

That paints a good picture of chicks taking cover under mother hen’s warm wings at night or in a heavy storm.

That is what Christ is to us when adversities strike or when adversaries surround us!

“…the glory… will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”

ISAIAH 4:5-6

Let me share several characteristics of people who take refuge in God:

First, Psalm 5: 11 says; “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”

In this world, true gladness and joy belong only to those who have God as their refuge.

Second, Psalm 16:1 says; “Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.”

Lasting safety belongs to those who have taken refuge in the Lord God.

Third, Psalm 34:8 says; “Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

True blessedness belongs to the one who has taken refuge in God.

Four, Psalm 34:22 says; “No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.”

There is no condemnation to the one who has taken refuge in Christ.

Five, Psalm 71:1 says; “In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.”

There is neither shame nor disappointment to those who take refuge in God.

Six, Psalm 71:7 says; “I have become a wonder to many; you are my strong refuge.”

You will be an amazement to people when God is your refuge.

Seven, Psalm 73:28 says; “I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

You will never run out of testimonies if you make God your refuge.

Lastly, Psalm 46:1-2 says; “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”

You will never live in fear of anything if God is your refuge.

In conclusion, I really like what God told the prophet in Isaiah 4:5 -6: “Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy.

“It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”

The glory of God is our covering and refuge.

We’re safe under His wings. Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Almighty God, I will never cease to acknowledge You as my refuge. May Your goodness and Your glory always be my covering and shelter, my hiding place from the storms of life. In Jesus Name, Amen!