Every year families spend thousands of dollars on summer vacations. They need to get away from the busyness of life. They’re seeking refuge from work, cell phones, the news, and so many other things that demand their time and cause stress.
Our family just recently returned from a vacation camping at the beach. We spent countless hours preparing and packing. The anticipation of a week-long camping trip to the beach began months before when we started counting down the days on our chalkboard.
When the time finally arrived, we were so ecstatic we could hardly contain our enthusiasm. We arrived at the beach, camped for a week, enjoyed God’s creation and each other’s company, and in the blink of an eye…it was gone. Then there was the reluctant trek back to reality. We arrived home to an empty refrigerator and baskets full of dirty laundry.
Isn’t that the way it usually goes? Our everyday lives burn us out until we are in desperate need of refuge. Our retreat comes and goes so quickly. Returning home to reality leads to work as well, so much work that we almost feel as if we need a vacation from our vacation.
No matter what we do or where we go, reality always follows. I’m so grateful that I have a place of rest that never ends; it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. Psalm 94:1-3
I don’t have to prepare, pack, or travel to enjoy this retreat. All I have to do is seek refuge in The Father and run to the protection of His arms:
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
In the past I’ve experienced vacations that bombed, because of reality following us on our trip. Refuge in The Almighty is always life-altering with its reckless abandon of responsibility.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:5-8
He fights our battles for us so there is no chance of bringing the cares of life with us, no chance of them spoiling our days of rest if we trust in Him.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. Psalm 91:9-13
I’m thankful I don’t have to prepare and pack. I just need to wait patiently and seek Him for God’s great love for us is a retreat every single day.
Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
