God Focus

Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. [Psalm 142.5]

There is something of importance to be learned from this verse in the Psalms. The key to understanding this importance is found in the word, "then."

The word "then," in the context of this passage, provides contrast to what has been said immediately preceding. Then I pray to you... "Then" answers the question, "when?"

Are you with me?

The contrast or reference of the verse above is to what has been said before it, "Then I pray to you, O LORD..."

OK, so what was said before? Here it is:

I cry out to the LORD; I plead for the LORD’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. [Psalm 142.1-4]

Psalm 142.1-4 sounds a bit self-focused - like a pity party. And, if "then" means anything at all, it means that after the pity party of crying out I will actually then pray. Do you see it?

Self-focus is fixation on circumstances. All too often I fall victim to myself and my circumstances. Instead I should declare a genuine prayer of faith that reveals my focus on Almighty God! 

If we would focus on Him, nothing else matters. No circumstance, including the prospect of death itself, can stop us from resting in God's care.

That is where I want to be. He is my refuge.

Father, You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.