"He came to his own people, but they didn't want him. But whoever did want
him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be
their true selves, their child-of-God selves." (John 1:11-12, MSG)
What a tragedy! The King of Kings had come to visit His people and "they didn't
want Him"! Jesus knows all about rejection. He endured hatred, mockery,
indifference even abandonment. Still He did not give up on His mission: to bring
salvation to the lost ones and re-establish communication with the Most Powerful
One.
We used to wander about without refuge, but now we discover that there is no
better place than being with God, our faithful Refuge! He is our "very own
home": "Yes, because GOD's your refuge, the High God your very own home,"
(Psalms 91:9, MSG)
We may feel lonely, but we can rejoice! We have a home, and our refuge is our
Heavenly Father Himself! Wow! Thank you Jesus!
What does it mean to have a reliable refuge? Let me explain this with an
illustration.
On D-day, the British and the Canadians planned to free the town of Caen in
Normandy, France, but it didn't quite work out as planned. The Nazis had a firm
stronghold in that city. The liberators had no choice but to start a bombing
campaign that would eventually destroy most of the city of Caen. It was the only
way to dislodge the enemy.
The only problem with their plan was that the innocent French people who lived
in that occupied city had nowhere to go. They soon realized that the only
shelter provided was the Abbaye aux Hommes, build by William the Conqueror some
900 years earlier. There they would be safe. No harm would befall them, unless
they wandered away from that strong shelter.
Nearby, William the Conqueror had also built the Chateau de Caen in 1060. During
the bombings, a stray bomb hit one of its towers head on. Most of us would think
that the tower would have been obliterated, but it wasn't! Only the top was
destroyed. If anyone had been in the tower they would have been unharmed!
May we always find refuge in the arms of God, especially during Christmas this
year. Feeling lonely? Go to Him! No one will ever be rejected by Him. "Whoever
comes to me I will never drive away." (John 6:37, NIV) He is expecting you!
Have a Merry Christmas, my friend. You are loved, oh, so loved, by the One who
willingly sacrificed His life for you. That's love, real love.
Do you need shelter? I know of a real good One!
Rob Chaffart
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