A Prayer to Keep Jesus as My Refuge

　　By Chelsey DeMatteis

　　“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” - Psalm 91:1-2

　　Blessed are those who take refuge in Him, can I get an amen? These last few weeks have been some of the hardest I've ever experienced since walking with Jesus. The attacks of the enemy have been like the being at the most pressurizing point of the pressure cooker, and the grief of losing a family member so close has left my heart broken into pieces. Attacks and grief, all while trying to hold it together for my own little family.

　　By the grace of God, Jesus has been and is my refuge. God has pulled me in close in the moments I've wanted to crumble, which has been many times in the last month. He has kept me going with the truth of His Word. With songs that are a balm to my spirit and the prayers of other believers, He has proven Himself faithful in this storm. He has proven Himself steady in this swell. He has proven Himself truthful in the moments the enemy has spoken lies. Even writing these words invites me to take a minute to breathe and exhale over the heaviness of this season. I'm certain many of you can relate, and for that I'm deeply sorry.

　　Even through the waves of grief and the enemy's attacks, I will keep seeking refuge in the One who created me, and I will choose to not seek refuge in the false "comforts" of this world. I will serve the Lord with fear, and I will rejoice, trembling before the mighty God that I serve. In this recent journey of hardship and heartache, I'm reminded of those we see in the Bible walking through absolute devastation, and they still chose to trust God and be faithful to His calling over their life.

　　The person who stands out the most to me in this season is Moses. He was given an incredible task from the Lord. However, He endured much hardship, grief, conviction, and, at times, devastation. Yet, he still chose to follow God and serve him because he trusted in what God said to him from the beginning. No matter what it is that I face, I know that I can trust that God will use what I walk through to bring glory to himself and draw others closer to Him.

　　Exodus 3:10-15 "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."

　　No matter what is it that you are walking through or will walk through, hold faithfully to the tasks that God has called you to do for His good and glory. Like Moses, recall and retell what God has stirred up in your heart before. Choose to follow where God leads even if it's through a season that is leaving you under a weight you cannot shake on your own, you were never meant to overcome the heaviness alone, our Heavenly Father is the One who lifts the burdens. Lean into Him, and watch Him prove Himself faithful as He always does. Rest in the truth we are given in Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

　　Let’s pray:

　　Father, thank you for covering me and carrying me through the darkest of times. You are faithful to settle and steady the storms in your timing, but when it feels tumultuous, you are with me. You are my refuge and my safe place. Help me see the ways you are carrying me; remind me of the ways you were faithful before. In the waves of grief and weakness, protect me from the enemy and his lies. Hold me tightly, Father, as I take refuge within your loving embrace. In Jesus' name, amen.