The Lord is their strength,[a]
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Psalm 28:8 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: At six years old, Nina Admoni first encountered the horrors of World War II. Being a Polish Jew, she and her family had to flee from the Nazis. Along the way to Shanghai, China, she saw many bombs fall as well as starving people banging on the windows of the Trans-Siberian Railroad train, begging for just a morsel to eat. When Nina finally arrived in Shanghai, life was very different from home. She was able to enjoy a life full of studies and fun with friends. Some twenty-thousand Jews lived in Shanghai during World War II, seeking refuge from the horrors of the holocaust. None had an easy trip there; the actual trip was tough but getting permission from the government was harder.
When we read a verse like Psalm 28:8, it seems easy to imagine that the Lord will be our refuge all of the time, allowing us to relax under the shadow of His wings. Yet, perhaps the secret to finding refuge is to realize that getting to that place of peace may require that we go through a difficult spell. We so often just expect the Lord to make our lives easy, pain free. Realize that, just like an athlete needs to train in order to stay in shape, we too need trials and rough times in order to become more like Jesus.
Are you going through a rough time today? Know that you will get through this, with the Lord's help. He will bring you to a place of refuge according to His will. Trust in Him and know peace, accepting this time as something divinely ordained.
