In the LORD I Take Refuge (Habakkuk 1:12-17)
For the choirmaster. Of David.
In the LORD I take refuge. So how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to your mountain! For behold, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and brimstone; a scorching wind will be their portion. For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.”
“In the LORD I take refuge. So how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to your mountain! For behold, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.” David is undoubtedly writing this psalm out of his experiences with Saul pursuing him mercilessly. Although Saul has made a good beginning, he has refused to totally obey God, thereby eliminating himself from having a long reign as king and founding a dynasty. God has rejected Saul, choosing David, whom the prophet Samuel describes as being “a man after God’s own heart.” But Saul isn’t about to give up the throne without a fight, and he is doing everything he can to kill David. There are many people prepared to spy for Saul in hopes of gaining royal favor, leaving David to run from place to place seeking shelter.
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Saul’s regime is an extremely mixed collection of half-hearted acknowledgment of God along with outright rebellion. Under Saul, the truly righteous remain silent, leaving David with little support.
“The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.” Confronting inadequacy, David encourages himself by reminding himself of God’s power and might. Even if David has no idea of Saul’s next move, God is fully aware and also knows all those who are pretending to support David even as they continue to report to Saul. David does not love violence for its own sake while Saul revels in violence.
“On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and brimstone; a scorching wind will be their portion. For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.” David does not have to take revenge on Saul or any of the others opposing him, for God will handle the wicked. David’s main duty at this point is to make sure that he is walking righteously and justly.
APPLICATION: I accepted Jesus as a teenager; however, I slid away from Him while I was in college. When I came back to Jesus ten years later, for many nights I was troubled by a horrible dream. I dreamt that I was stranded on a fiery planet on which there was no shelter. I could feel an evil presence threatening to destroy me as painfully as possible. My only refuge was to chant “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” over and over. Eventually, when Satan couldn’t terrify me, the dreams stopped.
There is power in the Name of Jesus. Dean Sherman, a veteran teacher on spiritual warfare for Youth with a Mission, YWAM, avows that there is more power in one drop of the blood of Jesus than in all the forces of hell. Through the years, I have found that calling on Jesus in times of stress and difficulty is the most effective means of clearing my heart and mind.
We can always turn to God as our Source of comfort, of encouragement, and protection. The same God who protected David from Saul’s onslaughts stands ready to protect you as well. Why not call on Him?
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help all who read these words to find their refuge in You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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