“The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).
A refuge is a place of safety. In a game of refuge, the animals instinctively know they will not be trapped or shot at. Likewise, we Christians have a refuge, a place of safety and security from the traps and direct attacks of the enemy.
In speaking in this sense of security in the Lord, the psalmist David wrote: “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Ps. 119:165). In modern versions, this word “offend” is usually translated, “snare, trap, capture.” Thus, this is a Biblical terminology for Satan’s attempts to capture believers and make them into prisoners of fear, poverty, sickness, anger, lust, insecurity, etc.
In the original Hebrew, the word translated “refuge” here is me’ownah (meh-o-naw’), meaning “a lair, den, asylum, retreat, or home.” As believers, our place of safety, of retreat, of refuge from the assaults of the enemy, is the Lord God of hosts.
“Refuge” (me’ownah) is also the word used for the tabernacle or temple where God dwells. We Christians have our individual dwelling places, our me’ownah. God also has His tabernacle, or me’ownah – His dwelling place.
We not only have the security of our own homes, but we also have an added spiritual security in the place of worship. When we worship the Lord in spirit and in truth we find a beneficial refuge from doubt, disbelief, distrust, despair, dismay, and disturbance.
The Lord is our refuge: our lair, den, our retreat, our home, and our tabernacle!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.