God is our shelter, a refuge in times of trouble

Psalm 9:9-10 (NLT)

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

My wife, Midge, and I attended the funeral of the wife of one of my closest friends.  I did not know her that well, certainly not as well as I knew my friend, a college fraternity brother.  I did not know how strong her faith was, evidenced by a list of her favorite Scriptures published in the funeral agenda handout.  Seventeen Scriptures were listed with Psalm 9:9-10 at the top of the list.  I wanted to write about Psalm 9:9-10 in remembrance of this woman.

Who are the oppressed?  The original Hebrew word has the meaning of being crushed, dejected, and afflicted.  Have you experienced times in your life—maybe right now as you read this-- when you have felt crushed, dejected, and afflicted?  When you think of the word “oppressed” you think of being under the weight of a very heavy burden, almost more than you can handle.  Oppression comes in the form of people, organizations, life’s circumstances overall, or even the demonic that could lead you to serious frustration and depression.  You lose your job.  You lose your health.  You lose a loved one.  Someone causes your heart to break in many pieces. You make a very bad decision that is very costly. Perhaps one of the greatest outcomes of oppression is the feeling of uselessness.  Feeling useless is one of Satan’s greatest tools in deceiving people and causing them to succumb under the weight of oppression. 

Psalm 9:9 teaches that the Lord is a shelter or refuge for the oppressed during times of trouble.  The Hebrew used for both words has the meaning of a high place, a stronghold, or a retreat that the Lord provides to enable the oppressed and the troubled to find relief and help.  How is He a shelter and refuge?  Well, first and foremost, there are many biblical passages that make the simple claim, like this one, that He is willing and able to help you (e.g. Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28, John 16:33, Romans 8:35-39, many others).  The main problem is that you need to have sufficient faith that God’s promises are true and that as a child of God, you have a Father in Heaven who is greater than any problem you will ever face in your life.  Psalm 9:10 emphasizes the importance of trust in God and trust comes from faith built up through consistency in seeking the Lord through Bible study and involvement in His work (church, fellowship, service, interest in others, etc).  God also provides people to enter your life who will help you if you allow them to do so.  That’s why those who are most helpful to you are people who have gone through and emerged victorious from the same oppression and trouble that you are experiencing (II Corinthians 1:3-7).

God never abandons those who seek Him.  He promises that “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), but you must have a relationship with Him.  He is willing to fight your troubles for you, but you must be willing to give them over to Him and not keep trying to solve them all by yourself.  He brings other people into your life to help you.  That is one of the main roles of the church, but if you are not involved in a local church, how can its people help you?

I have personally experienced the Lord providing a refuge for me during my deepest troubles that have included being without a job, dealing with a family member who was in serious trouble, dealing with a significant health problem, and feeling like I no longer could contribute anything to anyone.  I have been in those situations where I had no answers and had to go to the Lord for help.  He provided it, just like He did for many people in the Bible like Joseph, and David and Daniel and Paul and like He has provided for many people I know who experienced far greater problems than I did.  You must trust in His Word---His promises—that He will be a shelter, a refuge, a hiding place, a very high place---for you to turn to when you have no other place to go.  I am so grateful for God’s helping me in my times of oppression and trouble and promise that He will help you if you trust in Him. 

God Himself is your shelter and refuge.  Say to Him in prayer as the psalmist write in Psalm 91:2 “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust”.  Seek Him, receive His help, and thank Him.