Psalm 17:1-7 REFUGE

To begin this days devotion, I invite you open your Bible to Psalm 17, grab a highlighter, crayons or colored pencils, something and read this Psalm.  Then take your writing utensil(s) and highlight every word or phrase that elicits an image or a memory to you.  Do this work slowly.  In fact, some do this exercise by rereading the passage every time they stop to highlight a word, thus reading the text multiple times.

This week’s devotions are based around the words of Psalm 17:1-7(NIV)

1 Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.

4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.

5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

In a short reflection of this Psalm we can point to a few different things.  First we notice the psalmist, we assume David, and God have an active relationship.  They engage each other frequently.  The psalmist writes about his faithfulness to God. There is an invitation for God to look at the psalmist’s heart, to visit and test him proving his faithfulness.  The Psalmist then  asks that God act on behalf of the psalmist.   Second, the psalmist trusts that as he prays to God, God will listen and answer him.  The psalmist is bringing his deepest concerns and worries to God, trusting that God is and will respond.  Finally the Psalmist acknowledges God’s steadfast love.

Today I am drawn to the phrase in verse 7, “O savior of those who seek refuge.”  It doesn’t feel like we can go a week without hearing, seeing, reading about people seeking refuge from someone.  And that’s the word I want to zero in on – “REFUGE”.  This might be a harder word to find or think of an image for.  And to the end, I invite you to just sit with that word for a while, maybe even go about your day, your business as usual, as you think about what image might represent “REFUGE” to you.  Once you gather that image take a picture of it, spend some time reflecting and then look through these questions.

1.     Another word for refuge is protection, how are those words similar and different?

2.     Do you have a story or memory of needing to seek refuge? Describe the people or things that you found that offered refuge?

3.     Are there physical spaces where you find refuge?  How do they offer refuge?  If you have more than one, do they share similar traits?

4.     Do you have a space or place that you go to find spiritual refuge?  Describe that space and what it allows or invites you to do?

If you can, share your image on Easter Connect.

“GOD thank you for listening, seeing and protecting us.  Help us to do the same to all of your people.  AMEN”