“Happy are those who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 2:12, NRSV)
Those who put their trust in God have a contentment that is rooted from the outside. God as one’s source of life is always renewing and giving. That person who believes in God has a spring that pours into their lives refreshing the soul.
But, the follower of God is not always happy. How could one possibly always be happy? The way of God comes with hardships; it comes with disappointments; it comes with a direction of living that rejects the values that are prevalent in society.
The Christian sees the poor and the outcast as a gift to be cared for. The one who walks God’s trail looks at the pain of the world and is not content that the Kingdom is not yet fully realized.
When we take refuge in God, it’s because we are tired from both the attacks of the world and walking the way of God. God sends us into the brokeness of the world to experience it fully and live as if the Kingdom of God is here now. We take refuge in God because God sends us out to do God’s work; the work is not always easy, often it’s not.
We love when others do not. We care for those tossed to the sidelines. We encourage the bench warmers, call up the C team, and tell them they are valuable to God and are loved.
It’s after we work that we take refuge. We confess that we have failed at doing the work of God. We are reminded of the cool waters of baptism and whose we became in the font. But again we are refreshed with the Good News of Jesus and we are fed spiritual food in communion. Then we are sent out again to work only to be called again and take refuge in God.
Holy God, we know that we cannot bring about your kingdom. Help us to be your people in word and deed that the world may see our works and glorify you. When we are tired, remind us that you are our refuge and renewal. Amen.
Well said. I’m sending this link to my father.