Friday, September 08, 2006

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;

hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

- Psalm 17:8

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the southern United States, displaced families and individuals were often referred to in the media as “refugees.” For some, this term was viewed as insulting, so it prompted reporters to scramble for another word that would not be perceived as negative. They decided on the word evacuees.

In actuality, the word refugee is filled with hope. One dictionary defines it as “one who flees in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppression, or religious
persecution.” Refugee comes from the word refuge, which speaks of safety, protection, and care for the hurting. It speaks of a safe haven in a storm-filled world.

For those who have been battered by the storms, tragedies, and disasters of life, refuge is what they long for most. They may seek shelter in the arms of God, who alone can give us refuge and who longs to cover us and protect us and preserve us.

Jesus said to the broken people of His day, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). He continues to offer refuge to the hurting hearts of our day if we will but seek His care and trust His heart.

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear;
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near;
A shelter in the time of storm. - Charlesworth

We need not fear life’s dark shadows

when we rest under the shadow of God’s wings.