“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” (Psalm 91:2)

If you want to talk about someone who knew true suffering in his life, look no further than King David. Although initially welcomed into the royal court King Saul later sought to kill him by hurling a spear at him (1 Sam 19). When that failed, Saul dispatched him to the battlefield, hoping he would fall by the sword. As scripture notes, “Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines” (1 Sam 18:25).

David also lost his best friend, Jonathan, in a fierce battle against the Philistines—a battle that took King Saul’s life as well (1 Sam 31). In another devastating tragedy, David lost an infant son (2 Sam 12:18).

Later, just as he thought he was finally settled, his kingdom was overrun by his own son, Absalom. As David fled, a man named Shimei—from the same clan as Saul’s family—came out to confront him. Shimei cursed David and pelted him and his officials with stones, shouting, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!” (2 Sam 16:6-7). Talk about hitting someone when they are down.

How did David respond to all these upheavals? In times of trouble, there is often a powerful temptation to blame God for all our woes. For some, the lure to turn to addictive substances to momentarily suppress the pain is ever-present.

What is so instructive about David’s story is that he never second-guessed where to run. This reliance is beautifully captured in Psalm 46, which declares: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea… He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Whatever troubles you may be facing today, have no second thoughts where to seek refuge from! Just as King David declared: God is our refuge and strength!

Reflection: When I face all kinds of trouble where do I seeek refuge?

Prayer Today: Lord Almighty Father, God of creation, heaven, and earth: through whatever difficulties I face, may I, like David, know exactly where to run. You are my refuge, my hope, and my trust. In Jesus’ name, I pray.