A Place of Refuge

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

~ Isaiah 25:4 ~

I have a calendar that has the italicized portions of this scripture on it, and as I was working out today I was in a position to where I could really read the words and it got me thinking on the things that have not thought on in a while. Primarily to the storms that have taken place in my life. Not on the storms that I didn't have any control over, because I know that the Lord is a refuge during those times. But it had me thinking about the storms that I have at times almost gotten myself in to. 

The enemy doesn't always attack from the outside, sometimes he manifests himself on the inside to in the ways of using our emotions and imaginations as weapons against us. A refuge isn't just a place to "hide out" in while the storm is taking place, but it's a place to go to for protection when you can see it coming. Sometimes you don't even know you need to go to it, but it is offered up to you as a place of rest when you are to overwhelmed, or tired to think anymore about what is going on. It's during those times that the refuge of God's words and promises can offer clarity and peace and protection from even our own selves because who else knows me, or you, better than the One who made us. It's because of that knowledge that He can protect us when we don't know any better, or we want to nurse thought, or emotions that will ultimately do us no good.

So in case you need it here are the refuges you can go to when all else fails....

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
~ 2Co 10:5 ~

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

~ Philippians 4:8 ~

Stop by these refuges sometime...stay a while too...it does a soul good!