Read Psalm 91.

When some people think of lighthouses, they consider them as places of ‘refuge’. This is partly because we often associate the light emitting from the lamp-room with the warm glow and protection the lighthouse itself offers. But actually, of course, the lighthouse’s over-riding purpose is to send out a warning; ‘Do not sail anywhere near this point, because there are dangerous rocks you need to avoid.’ So, it is understood that anyone approaching the sanctuary of the lighthouse will have first have to go through and overcome a rocky, challenging or stormy time.

A refuge can normally be seen as a shelter, a hiding place, a sanctuary, a safe place. It offers protection, safety, security or a temporary retreat from the pressures of the storm. It is a place of deep trust.

In Psalm 91, the psalmist is strongly advising us to find our refuge in our covenant partner God. As with all aspects of the covenant, receiving the blessings and living in them are conditional upon our obedience. So, if we expect God to step in and save us from the deadly pestilence, the plague, the fowler’s snare, and assist us in every battle and stormy situation, but make no effort to get to really know Him and to live in a way that pleases Him, then we are relying more on superstition than the purity of a covenant relationship.

God beckons us inside the shelter of the lighthouse to take refuge in Him.

God beckons us inside the shelter of the lighthouse to take refuge in Him. The offer is to firmly close the door on the distractions, fears and challenges of the stormy outside world and determine in our heart to shut ourselves in with God and to seize this opportunity to learn what it means to make Him our refuge.
 
Prayer Time:

Re-read Psalm 91 and consider the following:

• The different names of God.
• What do these tell you about Him, His nature and how He sees you?
• Can you identify the responsibilities of both covenant parties?
• What must we do?
• What does God promise?
• What does He offer to those who make Him their refuge?
• How do we make Him our refuge?
• What is the key word throughout this Psalm? (clue – verses 2, 4, 9)

Acknowledge your most prevalent storm to God and determine to trust Him with it.

From now on you are going to concentrate on building your relationship with God and not on the storm.

Metaphorically close the door of your spiritual lighthouse, making sure you leave the storm on the outside. From now on you are going to concentrate on building your relationship with God and not on the storm. Commit yourself to doing this now.