Week 9
Jeremiah 17:17 “Do not be a terror to me; You are my refuge in the day of disaster.”
Disaster in life brings us to the brink of things. It brings us to the brink of fear, it brings us to the brink of despair, and it brings us to the brink of hopelessness. Disaster is that human experience where all joy and security are stripped away, and we are left devastated, empty, and drained of all strength.
Jeremiah experienced this as he anticipated the day of God’s judgment on His sinning people. Jeremiah’s God-called task was to warn the people of the coming disaster, the disaster of judgment. The people could not truly understand how crushing God’s judgment could be, but they would soon find out. And Jeremiah, with his prophetic eye, saw it coming; he saw it all. He trembled with fear under the heart-rending grip of the overwhelming withering power of the coming trouble.
But in Jeremiah 17:17 Jeremiah prayed to God and said, “Do not be a terror to me; You are my refuge in the day of disaster.” How relevant this prayer is! In life’s terrifying exigency Jeremiah fought the dark gloom that could have swallowed him. His predicament drove him to prayer and indeed to God. Jeremiah declared that God is his refuge in the day of disaster. God would be to Jeremiah the One to whom Jeremiah could turn for love, for hope, and for strength to carry on. God would be Jeremiah’s confidence and assurance in the day when everything felt like it was falling apart.
Christian friend, in this day of uncertainty, there is a place of surety and resolute peace when the contrary winds of adversity blow against us. Our refuge is Christ; our refuge is the sovereignty of God in providential demonstration in fulfillment of His gospel promises to those who believe in the Savior. There is a hymn that declares, “He cannot fail, He must prevail; have faith in God, have faith in God.” As Jeremiah saw the dark storm looming on history’s horizon, he turned to the God of the covenant of redemption. He sought refuge and shelter under the protective wings of the mighty Savior, who loved him and brought him to life in salvation. We too may look to Christ in the distresses of our lives; we MUST look to Christ in such times, lest we be swamped, devastated, and demoralized. This world is not our home, and this world holds no peace for our troubled hearts. In the worst of times, we have the best of promises. We can and must revive our hope in Christ. He who died for us will not leave us in the hour of our need. Nothing can separate us from our Savior and His love. He is our refuge in the day of disaster.
Prayer: Dear Lord, in a day when my soul droops and my hopes fall, I come to You for renewal, refreshment, and rejuvenation. Please be my refuge this day and help me to face the reality of life with the reality of Your eternal love. Amen.