My Refuge - Rivers & Robots

scripture and prayer reflection

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Click HERE to listen to the song on Spotify

Lyrics

Though the seas may rage and earth may shake

I don't have to be afraid

Though the mountains move into the sea

You're a steadfast rock beneath my feet

God my rock, God my rock

God my strength, God my strength

Though kingdoms fall and seasons fade

Your steadfast love will never change

Those who call upon Your name

They will not be put to shame

You're my rock, You're my rock

You're my strength, You're my strength

I will take my refuge under the shadow

Of Your wings oh God

When anxious thoughts take hold of me

I remember You're the Prince of Peace

You're my place of rest and my escape

Father, You will be my hiding place

You're my refuge God

Oh, You're my refuge God

You're my deliverer

Lord I turn to You

Lord I run to You

Lord, You are with me

You're my fortress

You're my defender

You are my refuge

I turn to You

A very present help in trouble

Oh, You're my refuge God

Psalm 46:1-11

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 91:1-6

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Reflection

My Refuge draws on various verses from the Psalms, setting near direct quotes from scripture to music.  The calm atmosphere of the song reflects the underlying truth - God is unshakable, though all else gives way.  Therefore, we do not have to be afraid.

In his video series, Basics, Francis Chan begins his teaching series with a single, important concept: the fear of the LORD.  In being confronted with God in the fullness of His majesty, Chan argues we do not get to choose — we will be overwhelmed and afraid.  Psalm 46 points to this reality as it considers the “desolations” God brings on the Earth.  The immensity of God’s power is greater than we can comprehend. So often we fail to remember this as we interact with God, because of what comes after fear.

Immediately after being confronted with the terror of His presence, God tells His followers not to be afraid (Ex 20:20, Is 44:8, Luke 2:10, Rev 1:17).  We begin with the fear of the LORD because He is fearsome to behold — this is simply reality and we orient to it.  But God also dispels our fear with His love (1 John 4:18). The order is important, because once we have come to a place of recognizing the terrifying reality of God’s ultimate power and control — and thereby our own lack of power and control — there is nothing else we need to fear.  He holds all in His hands. He is sovereignly in control. He cannot be shaken.  Even if mountains are moved — a frightening prospect to imagine — He will not be.  If I don’t need to be afraid of God, in the ultimate sense I don’t need to be afraid of anything.

Musically, the songwriter acknowledges the challenge it can be to rest in God’s control, because it means no longer resting in our own control.  Our natural bent is often to go into problem-solving mode when things become harder and difficulties arise. Sometimes anxious thoughts feel like they grip us, not allowing us a choice over whether to worry or not.  What is it that drives these anxious thoughts? Oftentimes, it is a conscious or unconscious belief that I need to take care of me and mine.  And while there may at times be actions we are called to take, ultimately it is God who is in charge of taking care of me and those who matter to me.  This may not always look the way we’d like, but there is still a tenderness expressed in God’s desire to gather us under His wings for shelter.  There is closeness there, and intimacy.

Take time to sit with the truth in these psalms.  May this song be an invitation in the midst of anxious thoughts and busy lives to return to the truth that God is the one who is caring for you and those you love.  It is not through your efforts to maintain control or to manage all the details, to game plan or to prepare well. This may feel shaky and unsteady — as though the ground might give way any second — but even if it does give way, God is still ultimately holding you safe and firm in His hand.  His steadfast love for you is unchanged. May you be able to pray along with the singer, inviting your soul to remember that you are held by the Prince of Peace today.