Our Refuge and Fortress

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.” (PSALM 91)

Webster’s Dictionary defines a refuge as a place or thing that provides shelter, whereas a fortress is a person or thing unaffected by outside influences or disturbances. The Bible describes God as both our refuge and fortress. He is the eternal Creator, sovereign, autonomous, and unlimited. As the late Swiss theologian Karl Barth described Him, “God is wholly other.” Unlike finite human beings, God cannot be deceived, trapped, or influenced by life’s changes. In contrast, we are easily overwhelmed by terrors, pestilences, and plagues.

Although we don’t know who wrote Psalm 91, it is clear that the author understood three truths about life. First, he recognized that humans are easily overwhelmed by challenges, dangers, and threats. Second, since these hazards cannot overcome God, He is the safe refuge and fortress for everyone who seeks Him. Third, despite all our efforts to protect ourselves, only God can truly shield us from the natural and demonic forces we face every day.

As the psalmist says, the Lord commands His angels to watch over everyone who makes Him their refuge. The Lord guards those who call on His Name. Even when we face troubles from all directions, we are not crushed, bewildered, or driven to despair. Even when we are knocked down, we are not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). How is this possible? It is possible because of two unfailing truths: God gives grace to endure every situation, and He never abandons those who love Him. Because we love Him, God hears our prayers and reveals His salvation to us. 

With these promises in mind, we pray this week’s collect: O God, our refuge and strength, true source of all godliness: Graciously hear the devout prayers of your Church, and grant that those things which we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.