In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
Be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
Psalms 31:1-5

Everyone experiences rough patches in their lives.  Sometimes it may seem like we go through more roughness than we think we deserve.  Right now in the Middle East, Jews and Christians are being persecuted at an alarming rate.  They are being forced from their homes or even brutally murdered—men, women, and children—for worshipping Christ.  We are being warned that the same is coming all around the world.

In our little corner of the world, we are fighting those that want to take prayer out of public life.  We are fighting those who want to make religion a private relationship maintained behind the closed front door at home.  We are fighting those that are wanting to take our voice away and not wanting us to voice the good news of Jesus Christ because they either do not believe it themselves or worship some other idol.

Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12

We have been explicitly warned that we will be persecuted if we ‘live Godly’ lives and choose to worship Jesus.  Jesus already knew that it was going to happen before He was crucified.  Yet we know who wins in the end.  God will rescue us in the time of great need.  He will be the Rock that we lean on when the world gets to be too much.  He is our Refuge.  He is the guiding Spirit that keeps us from trouble.  He comes to our rescue in ways that we cannot ever imagine.  He is our Fortress.  God is our guiding Light.

God is our Savior.  He is our Shield of faith.  He is our rescuer.  Through our relationship with Him, God guides us through a turbulent world that is only going to get more turbulent. God will be our Refuge no matter when or where we call on Him.  We deliver our spirits to Him because He is faithful and will keep us safe.

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Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your refuge and love. Without Your greatness, we would not have anywhere to turn when times get rough. You rescued me from death and now You lead and guide me through life and keep me from wandering into the trap that the devil sets everyday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.