Our Refuge and Strength

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, November 17th, 2024:
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 16

R. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 

R. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. 

R. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

​R. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Have you ever played the “Word Association Game”? Someone says a word and you in turn say the first word or image that comes to mind. I did this with the word “protection,” and the image that immediately came to mind was of a parent holding their child close to their heart with tender, yet strong, arms. I have three grown children and six grandchildren. Literally and figuratively, I would do whatever I could to love and protect them. If I, who am human and far from perfect, feel this way, how much more must the ultimate parent, our heavenly Father, desire to hold us in His loving arms and protect us, His children?

The psalmist wisely recognizes his need for protection and cries out “Protect me O God, for in You I take refuge.” Too often, one may be tempted to “take refuge” in human relationships, distractions, or secular advice, to name but a few. None of these can offer the protection our Lord provides. A number of metaphors and titles refer to God’s protection for His people. He is our Shield, Fortress, Hiding Place, Keeper, Refuge, Rock, Shade, Shelter, and Stronghold. How amazing!
In what ways are we in need of protection? What do we seek protection from?

• We need protection from despair and hopelessness when the circumstances of our life seem overwhelming. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
• We need protection from fear and anxiety. The inspired Word of God instructs us “Do not be anxious about anything but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests to God and the peace of God that passes understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6).
• We need protection from lies – lies we tell ourselves, lies the world feeds us, or lies Satan tries to make us believe. With Jesus, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Jesus tells us clearly, “ I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 4:6).
• We need protection from temptation. Jesus taught His disciples, including you and me, a prayer that includes “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
• We need protection from eternal life separated from God. God promises that after death, He doesn’t let His faithful one see the Pit. This is both a Messianic prophecy (see Acts 2:25-28, 31) and a promise for you and me. If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

As we keep the Lord before us, we are not moved because He is at our right hand. God is actively present in our lives protecting us, giving us counsel, instructing our hearts, and showing us the path of life. And because God is ever present and our eternal future is secure, our hearts are glad, our souls rejoice, and our bodies rest secure. In His presence is fullness of joy – joy that is present, regardless of and in every circumstance. Thank You, Lord!




Lisa Wing

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