The Bible has a lot to say about finding refuge in God. Here is an extensive look at various verses in Scripture that discuss taking refuge in the Lord.
Psalms and Proverbs on Refuge in God
The book of Psalms, in particular, frequently speaks of taking refuge in God. For example:
- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
- “For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” (Psalm 61:3)
- “Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!” (Psalm 61:4)
- “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come.” (Psalm 71:3)
- “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
Proverbs also encourages trusting in God over human resources:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
- “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
Examples in the Prophets
The prophets also pointed to God as the only true source of refuge:
- “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:1-2)
- “For the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” (Isaiah 60:19-20)
- “Let him take refuge in My name.” (Nahum 1:7)
Jesus as Our Refuge
In the New Testament, Christ is revealed as the ultimate refuge for our souls. He invites all the weary and heavy-laden to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He is the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep (John 10:11-15). A few other examples include:
- “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6)
- “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
- “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
- “…by God’s power you are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5)
God’s Promises of Refuge in Him
All throughout Scripture, God makes promises to be a place of refuge for those who put their trust in Him. For example:
- “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7)
- “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
- “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Taking Refuge in God Through Faith
While God promises to be our place of refuge, we access that refuge by putting our faith and trust in Him. We hide ourselves in Him through believing prayer, obedience to His word, and walking in His ways. For example:
- “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30)
- “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:22)
- “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)
- “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7)
- “By faith Noah…in godly fear, constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” (Hebrews 11:7)
The Reward of Taking Refuge in God
God richly blesses those who turn to Him as their refuge. He grants them protection, strength, hope, and confidence. The fruits of abiding in Christ are love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22-23). Other benefits include:
- “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2)
- “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)
- “For the Lord grants justice to his people and has compassion on his servants.” (Psalms 135:14)
- “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
- “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)
God’s Refuge Available to All
One final encouragement from Scripture is that God does not reserve His refuge only for some. The way is open to all through faith in Jesus Christ:
- “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)
- “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
These and many more Bible verses demonstrate how God longs to be a place of refuge for all people. He promises to protect and strengthen those who put their trust in Him. We can take refuge under His wings through faith in Christ and find the peace and rest our souls desire.