God is Our Refuge
 
One of my favorite places in the Cleveland Zoo was the Monkey House.  I enjoyed sitting and watching the activities and squabbles of those little critters.  One of my favorites was a little, recently born infant.  The other tikes liked to pick on that baby and mangle it pretty thoroughly.  They would haul it around and play tug of war with any appendage they could get hold of.  But when the baby had had enough, at its first moment of freedom, it went scampering back to its mother as fast as it could go, with the others in hot pursuit.  But once the infant reached the safety of its mother's back, it knew it was safe.  It would look back at its tormentors as if saying, "Naaaa, you can't get me now."
 
In much the same way, you and I have a place of safety where we can fly in times of distress and defy our tormentors to come and get us now.
    Psalm 46:1-3 KJV - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.  Selah.
When your world gets topsy turvy and you do not feel that you can handle the stress and pressure, God has a refuge where you can flee.  There, safe in His arms, your fears can subside and calmness return to your heart.  God is your refuge and strength.
 
But not only is God our refuge and strength, He is our very present help in trouble.  There were times when that little baby monkey was physically unable to make it back to the safety of it's mother's back.  The other youngsters had it cornered and would not let it escape.  But all it took from Junior was one squall and mama was on the way to the rescue.
 
Sometimes our burdens and trials are so heavy and intense we do not have the strength to make it back to our refuge.  At those times we can call out to God and He demonstrates Himself to be our very present help in time of trouble.  We don't have to flee to Him.  He comes to our aid.
-MO