True Refuge - Psalm 9

Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Oppression is the use of power to disempower, marginalize, silence or otherwise subordinate one social group or category, often in order to further empower and/or privilege the oppressor.
Psalm 62:3-4 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

I was watching on the news this morning, and this Michael Newdow, an attorney and noted atheist is wanting to remove the “so help me God” from the presidential inauguration. My first thought was….this is an ‘attack’ on Christianity at it’s core. At it’s core? Really? How myopic is that? That removing some ‘words’ from an inaugural address, is some sort of attack. Don’t get me wrong, I’d hate to see it happen. But we think an awful lot of us and our culture. Our economy, our president, our ‘way of life’, our media, our religious freedom....dont really amount to much globally or even in God’s economy. Meanwhile, the church is exploding in areas where oppression is at it’s highest.

Then I think of the countless numbers of churches in Asia, being persecuted….people jailed for their beliefs and those who face being cut off from their families because of their stances. I think of my friend Mari, who is going as a missionary to Northern Africa…and she has to writes letters and emails asking for pryer, or asking the L for guidance, or praise the name of J.

We say we are so blessed to be in this country where we aren’t persecuted….where we have freedoms….where it isn’t a crime to worship the Lord with other believers. Really? Why is it then….does Matt Thomas (and other missionaries) want so badly to get back to places where religious freedom doesn’t exist? Do you possibly think the real blessing comes from finding refuge in Christ alone?