It’s Just Better

As I have sat through the series “You Don’t Have What it Takes” at Lifechurch.tv, I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions.  I’m slowly realizing the amount of effort I place in trying to be something to someone, to carry the load, to fix everything, to control my destiny, to control my finances and even anticipate the outcome of the economy.  I may not control these things in whole or any significant part; but in some way, I attempt to control each and every one of these things.  It is a seemingly valiant effort, which has become very tiring and, honestly, an effort at which I constantly fail.  I have come to the very eye-opening realization that I do not have what it takes.  But, in this moment, I have found this statement is a beautiful truth to grasp hold of.  

As I was reading this morning, I found that the very center of the Bible, the very center, is considered to be Psalm 118:8, which says “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”  Just when I thought I had a grasp on the idea of God’s perfection, I laughed and again realized what little I do in fact know.  This seems like such a simple statement, as so many of us would jump at the idea of an eternal refuge, something or someone that will save us from the idea of pain, loss, struggle and temptation.  Yet, why is it so difficult to live in the protection of the Lord, His Safe Haven, to trust in only him, to live by faith?  It seems so easy to trust in our own abilities, that we see fail so often; or to trust in our government leaders that make their best attempts, yet come no closer to offer any shelter from the affliction we all face.  But, trusting in this guaranteed sanctuary is still such a stretching concept that it takes our every anxious heart to consider making the first step and in the end we still pass it off as just a notion.

Psalm 118:1-15 (The Message Version) says:

1 Thank God because he’s good, because his love never quits. 2 Tell the world, Israel, “His love never quits.” 3 And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, “His love never quits.” 4 And you who fear God, join in, “His love never quits.” 5 Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered. 6 God’s now at my side and I’m not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me? 7 God’s my strong champion; I flick off my enemies like flies. 8 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people; 9 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities. 10 Hemmed in by barbarians, in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt; 11 Hemmed in and with no way out, in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt; 12 Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in; in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt. 13 I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me. 14 God’s my strength, he’s also my song, and now he’s my salvation. 15 Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? “The hand of God has turned the tide!
 

The simple truth 

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man’s opinions.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in your own abilities.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in governments or leaders.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord…period.  All these things are good.  It is just BETTER to take refuge in the Lord.