God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
Refuge
Canada has a long history of offering refuge to those around the world who are facing persecution and war. In 1830 Polish refugees fled to Canada to escape Russian oppression. The year 1858 marked the first significant mass migration of Poles escaping Prussian occupation in northern Poland. In 1891 the migration of 170,000 Ukrainians began, mainly to flee oppression from areas under Austro-Hungarian rule, marking the first wave of Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada. 132 years later, one in five Canadians have Ukrainian heritage.
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The world is shaking, and not just physically, although the earthquake in Turkey and Syria earlier this year makes it obvious that sometimes the shaking in our world is literal. For most of us, the shaking of our lives will come in other ways – financial crisis, family trauma, job loss, sudden health issue. What a blessing, in a real earthquake, to have a place to hide that will protect you from harm. When our lives shake, we also have a place of refuge. King David wrote this in Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Something amazing happens when we turn to the Lord in times of trouble – He rushes to us, offering us His peace and protection. I don’t know how people who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus manage to get through the difficult times in life. What a blessing to know that He is with us in the most difficult times in life. Is He your refuge?
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley