The Lord reigns forever;
Psalm 9:7-10
he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness
and judges the peoples with equity.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Scripture Notes
We will all find ourselves in times of trouble and hardship. During these difficult times, we may feel oppressed, anxious, angry, or sorry for ourselves. We rely on ourselves to solve the problems caused by others or that we inflict on ourselves. However, relying solely on ourselves can deepen our problems. The more we try to fix things, the more complicated they can become. So, where do we find peace during times of trouble and hardship? Psalms 9:9a answers this question: ‘The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed.’ It is God who provides safety and a place for rest for those who are mistreated and afflicted.’ In our relationship with the LORD, we receive a beautiful gift of rest, hope, and security—security that surpasses anything our possessions, friends, family, spouse, or even our church can offer. This security extends far beyond our understanding and imagination.
Mathew Henry stated, “It is the lot of God’s people to be oppressed in this world and to have troublous times appointed to them. Perhaps God may not immediately appear for them as their deliverer and avenger; but, in the midst of their distresses, they may by faith flee to Him as their refuge and may depend upon his power and promise for their safety, so that no real hurt shall be done them.”
Our Lord does not stop there with safety, security, and rest; He is our fortified place. Psalm 9:9b states, His is a stronghold in times of trouble. This means that God provides stability and strength during difficult seasons of life. Psalm 28:7 says, The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. In Nehemiah 8:10, Nehemiah says, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” You may have seen movies where a town or city is protected by huge walls and garrisons on either side of the gates. The garrisons are strategically placed along the city’s walls, and men in the garrisons guard the city 24/7. God’s stronghold is divinely placed around us and is stronger than any wall or garrison man could ever build. It is the ultimate protection for each person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and is saved. The walls of old cities are only as strong as the materials used to build them and the men who sit in the garrisons. But God’s strength can never be destroyed.
As long as we are here on earth, we will continue to experience seasons of trial. With God, we can confront those trials by trusting Him fully, growing in our faith, and praying to Him; He will deliver us from them and avenge us against our enemies. We must fight to avoid retreating in disgrace; through faith and trusting God, we can achieve victory over trials and troubles, emerging on the other side with a closer, more trusting relationship with Him.
MEMORY VERse
Niles, Robert L., Jr . Orange lichens enamel the grimly beautiful surface of the fortress walls, 1926. The New York Public Library
Related Verses
More verses about refuge in God:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- When you face trouble, is your first response to go to God, or do you rely on other things like work, finances, or family? Do you ever ask for rest?
- When have you recognized when God acted as a refuge, and how can you use this to strengthen your faith?
- By faith, will you trust Him to deliver you from your distress?
MANÁ 
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