“My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.” 2 Samuel 22:3
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15
At the time of writing this, my BSGs are beginning a new study by Priscilla Shirer titled Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath. The idea of maintaining sabbath has become so foreign that, just a few years ago, the fast‑food chain Chick‑fil‑A came under fire simply for refusing to open on Sundays. The company’s founder is a devout Christian who has chosen to live out his faith publicly. Imagine—people being so riled up because a chicken restaurant honored the sabbath and gave every one of its employees a guaranteed day off.
As part of the study, we were asked why we think the world values busyness over rest. The truth is, the world often views rest as inconvenient and unnecessary. My response was this: the farther we drift from God, the more tightly we cling to the idea that success comes only through striving harder and relying on ourselves. We stop looking for rest and refuge anywhere—but within our own effort. A God‑centered perspective says otherwise:
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27
True Rest
I am one of those always‑striving types. Even when I try to rest, I wrestle with guilt—feeling as though I am not being productive enough by the world’s standards. Just as I never learned how to wear makeup, I never learned how to truly wear the refuge and rest of God. I am still learning how to rest in His arms in a way that allows my work to have purpose and boundaries, and my rest to be true rest.
God taught so many of us a profound lesson about refuge during the COVID years. We lost businesses and friendships. We lost dreams, finances, loved ones, and trust in institutions. In the midst of all that loss, however, I began to recognize what I was also gaining—a deeper understanding of what God truly offers when He calls Himself our refuge.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
He became my shelter from the outside chaos. My refuge from my internal strife. He gave me the opportunity to not work and instead fully support my husband whose business was under fire each day. The Holy Spirit encouraged me to start this blog and delve deep into the ways of the Father, encouraging others along the way.
But as the world around us began opening up I felt the familiar tug at my heart and mind – “start producing and striving.” The world was pulling me from His arms again. Taking my eyes off the only thing that could give me the safety and security we all so desire.
Run To His Refuge
Friend, the Christian life is not easy street. It’s work. The world comes at us full bore with sparkly lights and gems. Always wanting more, being better, doing more. But the psalmist reminds us:
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11
I want to sing for joy while resting safe and secure in His arms. Last year I chose two scriptures to memorize. It wasn’t until I started researching for this post that I realized both focus on God’s promise of refuge. It was obviously something on my heart!
“My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God will help her when the morning dawns.” Psalm 46:5
The LORD commands us to rest and find refuge in Him. It’s the only place we can find perfect peace. Let’s all make it our priority today to swim against the world’s current of ceaseless striving. Take time this week to turn all your troubles over to Him and rest in Him.
I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say by Horatio Bonar (1846)
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
And he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quench’d, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise,
And all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that Light of life I’ll walk,
Till trav’ling days are done.
emboldened.net 