Refuge and Reward

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

My mom, an elementary school teacher, read lots of books to my sister and me including children’s rhymes and poetry. I can still remember and recite to this day a poem called, “The North Wind Doth Blow”: 

The north wind doth blow

And we shall have snow 

And what will poor robin do then

Poor thing

He’ll sit in a barn

And keep himself warm

And hide his head under his wing

Poor thing 

I still remember the illustration in the children’s book of a little robin huddled inside a barn with its wing over its head and what looked like a blustery blizzard outside. There are so many times that there has been “threatening weather” in my life, and I have to admit that my first instinct isn’t as smart as the little robin’s. I want to complain about the dark clouds or ferocious winds. I get angry that a storm is disrupting my plans. I get impatient and want to know when the chaos will all be over. Do I immediately go to God for refuge? Not all the time. But, that is exactly where he wants me to be. To taste, see, know, truly understand that He is good and seek refuge in His arms. 

There are so many verses in the bible about God being our refuge, many which are in the Psalms. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 or “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4. Psalm 34:8 stood out to me because it not only encourages us to take refuge in God but to know that we will be blessed for doing so. At times, I feel like I should be better able to handle the stressful situations in life or anxieties that come my way. But how amazing is it to know that in running to God for refuge when we are most fearful, we are also receiving His blessings! He doesn’t dish out condemnation or judgment, because He is always good. May I never resist seeking refuge from my gracious and good God. I pray that my instinct would be more like the little robin’s in this poem and that I will always seek shelter in my Heavenly Father’s arms and believe he will bestow His blessings in my life.