Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Lent 2018 | Page 16

Seek Refuge
Sunday, February 25th
Psalm 118:8-9
We are familiar with the story of the "Three Little Pigs." The wolf watches and seeks out any mistake
the little pigs make. He does so hoping to overcome them to fill his hungry stomach. They seek shelter:
a house of straw, sticks, and bricks. Each little pig finds comfort in his shelter. Yet, with one huge gust
from the wolf, the house of straw blows over; the house of sticks comes crumbling down. But, the story
ends with safety in the house made out of bricks!
You and I look around this world and see dangers everywhere we turn. In response, we can take things
into our own hands and create temporary places of safety. We may turn to drugs, alcohol, social media,
or even "self" to find comfort and satisfaction in a broken world. But we know something about these
types of safeties we create for ourselves. They only hide our brokenness or relieve the pain. They do
not last. Worse yet, we can hide behind them as we blame others or produce a reliance on one’s self!
In our Psalm for today, we find a place to turn to in our times of distress, fear, or anxiety. This Psalm
foreshadows the pain and suffering the Lord would endure during his time on earth. When he came to
earth, he experienced loneliness and disappointment. Why? His very own disciples disowned him. His
own people rejected him. He felt the pain of distress. Mocked and beaten and nailed to the cross! Yet,
in all these times of despair, agony, and brokenness, he provided us an example of where to turn. In
his distress he turned and spoke to his Father. Jesus, as true God, possessed the power and strength. He
could have come down from that cross and passed on the pain and suffering. Instead, he turned to his
Father in heaven for true peace and comfort and says, “Father, forgive them.” What comfort! What
confidence! What an example for us!
As you walk down the streets of this world, you see that even the brick buildings will crumble and fall
over time. Those three pigs found temporary safety in the house of bricks, but they would need to
come out at some point. We don’t have to worry, fear or hide because we have a God who has been,
always is, and will be forever our refuge and strength. Seek refuge in the loving arms of our eternal
God!
Prayer: Almighty God and Father, we often look to ourselves or other earthly items for comfort and
security. Forgive us and fix our eyes on Jesus -- our refuge in times of distress. Amen.
Activity: Reflect on times you felt alone or afraid. What did you do or where did you turn? Discuss
Bible stories where others have been in the same position, and discuss solutions and comforts God
gives to us through them. What refuge did they find and how long did it help?
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