Refuge

A safe retreat; a place of healing and renewal; also a stronghold from which to launch a counter-attack.

False refuges

Flight

Genesis 3:8–9; Psalm 139:7–12 See also Isaiah 28:15, Isaiah 28:17

Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”

Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.

Idolatry

Isaiah 44:9 See also Deuteronomy 32:31, Deuteronomy 32:37–38

All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.

Human support

Jeremiah 17:5 See also Psalm 20:7–8, Psalm 142:4; Isaiah 30:1–2; Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 3:3

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.

False confidence

Jeremiah 6:14 See also Ezekiel 13:10–12; Matthew 7:26–27; Revelation 6:15–17

They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

God alone is the true refuge of believers

Deuteronomy 33:27 See also 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:32; Psalm 18:31, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 62:6–7; John 10:28–29; Romans 8:31–32, Romans 8:38–39; Philippians 4:7

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’

Pictures to describe God as a refuge

A fortress

Psalm 46:7 See also Psalm 28:8, Psalm 48:3, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 71:3, Psalm 91:2, Psalm 144:1–3

The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

A rock

2 Samuel 22:2–3 parallel Psalm 18:2 See also Genesis 49:24; Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Samuel 22:47; Psalm 31:2, Psalm 94:22; Isaiah 26:4; Habakkuk 1:12

He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence.

A shade

Psalm 91:1 See also Psalm 121:5; Song of Solomon 2:3; Isaiah 25:4–5

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Sheltering wings

Psalm 57:1 See also Deuteronomy 32:10–11; Ruth 2:12; Psalm 17:8, Psalm 36:7; Matthew 23:37

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.

A shield

Genesis 15:1 See also Deuteronomy 33:29; 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 3:3, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 84:11; Proverbs 30:5; Ephesians 6:16

After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

A tower

Proverbs 18:10 See also Psalm 61:3

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Cities of refuge

Numbers 35:11 See also Deuteronomy 4:41–43, Deuteronomy 19:1–13; Joshua 20:1–9

designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.