My Refuge Is In The Lord!

June 9, 2026

Scripture

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.  The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him.”  Psalm 37:39-40

My Refuge Is In The Lord!

When I am in deep trouble, I need to know there is a strong place for me.  When I am in an extended season of struggle, I need to know there is help for me.  When I am under attack, I need to know there is deliverance for me.  When I am afraid and weak, I need to know there is protection for me.  When I am living with too little, I need to know there is provision for me.

Jesus is my strength!

Jesus is my help!

Jesus is my deliverer!                                                  

Jesus is my protector!

Jesus is my provider!

Sometimes Christ-followers convince themselves that salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone is the ultimate and only goal for believers.  They will tell us all we need to do is be saved or be born again or commit our life to Christ.  They inadvertently send the message that our salvation is all there is to the Christian life.

Some will attempt to convince us our justification (setting things right with the Lord God) is all that is necessary.  In other words, there is no need for sanctification (growing in our relationship with the Lord God so we can live a life of holiness).  However, the Apostle Paul and David suggest otherwise.  We are saved  by the Lord God (i.e., justification) and then we daily seek refuge with the Lord God (i.e., sanctification). 

At the end of Psalm 37, David makes it clear there is more to our life with Christ than just our salvation.  In Psalm 37:39 David writes; “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.” 

The Lord God is the source of our salvation and the Lord is our refuge we seek when we are in trouble.  In other words, the Lord God offers us much more than our salvation; the Lord God will be with us is in times of trouble and struggle as well as in all of life.

David describes a few dimensions of the character of the Lord God.  In Psalm 39:40 David writes; “The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him.”  David knows the Lord God is our helper, our deliverer, and our Savior.  Because of who the Lord God is, David knows there is victory in the Lord God!        

As David focuses upon the character of the Lord God, he is reminding us of the source of our confidence and hope and strength.  When our stuff lets us down, when other people disappoint us, and when our status does not deliver, it is helpful to remember the Lord God.  The Lord God is our helper, our rescuer, our deliverer in times of trouble.

When things could not seem to get any more difficult or dark for me, I was tempted to first rely upon myself; my strength, my wisdom, my personality, my determination, my skills, my experience, etc.  It did not take long for me to realize that all that I was and all that I had in me was not enough to make it through the season of struggle in which I was living.

I needed something more than myself and something more than other people; I needed what only the Lord God could provide.  I needed a helper, a rescuer, a deliverer; I needed the Lord God!

David had learned this truth through his struggles and troubles.  It was one of the most important lessons the Lord God had taught him.  The last sentence of Psalm 37 makes the point clear.  In Psalm 37:40 David writes;  “The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in him.”  

The Lord God will protect His children when they are under attack by wickedness.  The Lord God will provide for His children when they can’t see a way forward.  The Lord God will give power to His children when they feel afraid and weak.  The Lord God will always be present with His children when they feel alone and discouraged.  The Lord God will save His children when they surrender their heart, mind, and soul to Him.

The Lord God is the refuge for those who love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind.  In the Lord, believers will find peace and joy and love.  In the Lord, believers will find a safe place, a sanctuary, a place of intimacy with the Lord.

In Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 we hear the promise;

“God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations;
    I am exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

The Lord’s place of refuge is where His presence, protection, power, promises, and provision are manifest as an expression of love for His children. 

I wonder if you know someone who needs to experience refuge in the Lord God.  Has their trouble gone on too long, their struggle been too intense, their hope and joy been all but destroyed.  Maybe you could invite them to coffee this week and offer them the promise of Psalm 37:39-40.

Reflect

Where are you needing to seek refuge in the Lord God right now?  What do you need most in that place of refuge; i.e., the Lord’s help or the Lord’s rescue or the Lord’s deliverance?  Do you have the courage to ask Jesus to be your place of refuge today? 

Pray

Lord God, I need you more than I know.  I want to focus upon your character and your promises more than upon my distress or my discouragement.  I need you to help me, rescue me, and deliver me from the trouble I am experiencing.  I seek you, Lord God, to be my place of refuge…my Savior and Lord.  Give me strength and courage and faith for my struggle today.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Act

Name the most difficult struggle you are facing right now!  Be specific.  Ask Jesus to either help you or rescue you or deliver you.  Share your struggle and your prayer with a Christian friend.