"Refuge"

He’s far away for freedom’s cause,

His weapon twixt his knees,

Eating rations from a can,

And praying not to freeze.

He asks the Lord for refuge.

Buddies are beside him,

Brothers ‘neath the skin,

One thing sure in common,

Is coming home again.

They ask the Lord for refuge.

He left when he was eighteen,

A long, long time ago,

Words were said and feelings frayed,

All bitter wounds, you know.

And he said that he’d never,

Go back to where he’s from,

But years have passed and people, too,

The best said he should come.

Home to places he was raised,

By those who wished he’d stay,

Before the pain and injuries,

Carried him away.

He asks the Lord for refuge.

He left her with the crying kids,

In a tearful, big uproar,

He thought he’d really lost his mind,

Could not take any more.

He sent her help for several weeks,

So he could clear his head,

To keep the rent and power paid,

And the kids all fed.

And just when he decided,

He was ready to be there,

She ran off with another,

And said she didn’t care.

He asked the Lord for refuge.

A friend I know packed up his things,

‘Cause work was hard to find,

Landlord said they had to go,

That there was no more time.

So now the only thing to do,

Is go back home to mom,

Who has the most sarcastic mouth,

Asked where did you come from.

He asked the Lord for refuge.

The prodigal, the younger son,

Who wasted all he had,

Without friends and destitute,

His life got really bad.

Ended up a-feedin’ pigs,

And eatin’ from their trough,

Finally came back to himself,

Thought it couldn’t be this rough,

If he went home and went to work,

For his own father, see,

But soon as he was recognized,

His dad ran joyfully,

Down the road to meet him,

Embraced him with a kiss,

Said let’s throw a party,

My son, we no more miss.

And that’s how we find refuge.

But that old elder brother,

Didn’t see it quite that way,

Invited to the party,

He wouldn’t even stay.

He wouldn’t offer refuge.

If home Is what it’s s’posed to be,

Then get yourself back there,

Whenever that you need to,

With those who really care.

But it’s not always like that,

‘Cause people can be mean,

Remember God still loves you,

Will always wash you clean.

He offers you safe haven,

When sometimes no one will,

Help you put the past behind,

With peace your heart to fill.

Just ask the Lord for refuge.

“I look to You for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes by…” (Psalm 57:1, NLT)

It’s nice to go home again, if you can. But, for some, going home is really not an option. Maybe there’s a painful history or burned bridges or whatever. The poem decribes several scenarios where people long to go home to something that is no longer there. But with God going home means finding a safe refuge with Him, and that’s exactly what He offers. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, our heavenly Father will run to meet you with open arms and the party will begin. The home we wish for may not come true. But the home God offers is a sure bet. Believe it.

Lord, give us refuge, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.