A SAFE HOUSE

One morning while reading Psalm 144, my eyes were drawn to a specific phrase. I tried to keep reading, but it was impossible. My mind was still trying to understand what I had just read. What? The house of my refuge? I thought maybe I had read it wrong, so I went over it again. It was not a mistake, the Psalm said that. Time was short so I had to put the text aside and go to work. However, I could not stop thinking about what I had read.

The fact that the Psalm 144 described God as the "house of my refuge" stunned me for several days. For some reason, the image of Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory came to my mind. As you might remember everything there was made of candies and chocolates. It was in fact a “chocolate house.” I also remembered the time I visited the Crystal Palace in Petropolis, Brazil, where the entire structure was made of metal and glass. It was basically a “crystal house”. I kept trying to imagine what things may abound inside a house that is supposed to be our refuge, our “safe house”. Perhaps peace, love, protection, mercy? A safe house is a place where we are supposed to feel one hundred percent protected. That is what God is saying that He is for us, He is the house of or refuge.

In Spanish, this same Psalm uses the word mercy instead of refuge. It literally says that God is a “Castle of Mercy.” The word mercy comes from the Latin miser (misery, need, misfortune) and cor, cordis (heart). It refers to the ability to feel the misfortune of others and God's ability to forgive our faults. The opposite of mercy is cruelty, impiety, and indifference. God is saying that he can feel our pain, and that he is the perfect place to find refuge. He is not indifferent, but merciful.

Out of curiosity, I searched Psalm 144 in different versions. I was impressed with the tender way in which the psalmist reveals us the character of the Lord:

He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer.

He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.

Psalm 144 (NLT)

He is my faithful love and my fortress, my stronghold, and my deliverer.

He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.

Psalm 144 (CSB)

The house of my refuge and my deliverer, my helper, upon whom I trust.

Psalm 144 (Aramaic Bible in Plain English).

It seems as if the Lord is really trying to make us understand that He is a safe place, and that we can let our guard down and run to Him without fear.

It is as if God told us:

Son, I can feel your pain, I am made of mercy. I am the house of your refuge.

I am not indifferent; I understand you. I am your safe house.

Are you afraid? I am your highest hiding place.

You don't know where to go? I am your place of protection. Your fortress.

Do you feel oppressed? I am your deliverer.

Do you feel there is a war against you? I am your shield and your protector.

Do you feel lonely? I am your faithful friend.

Do your enemies surround you? I am your loving ally.

Do you feel weak? I am your strength.

Did you fall prey to your own mistakes? I rescue you.

Do you feel misunderstood? I am the house of your refuge. Come to me.

© Astrid Gale

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