Where’s your refuge?

Although I hate to admit it, I’m an ugly crier. I don’t find myself full on crying very often, but when I do, it is ugly. My body shakes, and mucus streams; it’s just not a pretty site. Maybe you can relate to me or have seen an ugly cry from afar. I wish I could pretend these moments didn’t happen, but they do.

These moments often come when the storms of life seem all-encompassing, moments of deep grief over the consequences of my sin, the sin of others, or simply the reality of living in a world marred by the presence of sin. During these difficult moments, I often do not know what to say, what to pray, and how to articulate my thoughts, but thanks be to God for the book of Psalms. One of the most open and honest books in all the Bible about the emotions we encounter regularly.

Although all the Psalms were written by individuals, during particular moments, they often encapsulate the array of human emotions, unlike any other book. It has been said that the book of Psalms are words from the heart or a language for our tears. For example, Psalm 46 has been known to be a “battle hymn” for the Christian. A Psalm that reminds both the author and its reader that we worship a God who is a “very present help in our trouble” (vs. 1). He is always ruling and reigning even if the world is falling apart (vs. 5). God is a God of refuge and strength, that he is a fortress to be protected and comforted by. Furthermore, Psalm 46 serves to quiet down a troubled soul, not by telling them to forget or to move on from the situation, but rather to “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (vs. 10). There is nothing that He will not use for his glory.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Psalmist knows that when things are tough, we tend to try to be all-knowing, all-powerful, or always present where desired. But those are attributes that only belong to God and God alone.

And so may I encourage us all to see the Psalms as a great friend who can speak when we cannot. A part of scripture that will undoubtedly remind us of the truths about Him that serve as our prayers, truths that can comfort and encourage the down cast soul. Truths that point to a God who cares about sin. Truths that I encourage us to return to over and over again, no matter the circumstance, knowing that God is the “LORD of hosts (and) is with us.”

Luke Wartgow is lead pastor at Carson Valley Bible Church.