Refuge

Psalm 18:2 NIV: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

This verse conjured up powerful images for me today as I delved into it. Interestingly, there are 7 descriptors here for God, which is significant in the Bible since 7 is the perfect/complete/holy number.

The list contains a few powerful defensive words I associate with a military base, like stronghold, fortress, and rock. There are also words of proactive fighting such as shield and horn of my salvation. The Hebrew word used for shield indicates a buckler shield, which was small and used for deflecting and a weapon to hit others. The “horn of my salvation” means power and victory, as the ram’s horn (shofar) was used to celebrate triumph. With protection and proactive fighting, David can also declare that the Lord is a deliverer and refuge. In other words, the Lord allows us not to endure behind a bastion of defense, but He fights for us so that we can be delivered into a refuge. To be able to take refuge means we must feel safe and protected.

In my piece, I used a fortress high on a cliff with a strong wall of defense. But I also wanted to reference the shield and horns to represent God fighting for me. It was essential to also symbolize the safety promised when God is my refuge. I chose a sleeping toddler so at peace and unconcerned that he could nap in the green garden of the fortress.

Looking at the piece, I encourage you to use it meditatively. What part of the picture are you naturally drawn to? Does that part of the picture correlate with any of the words in the verse? Do any of the words or visual references to the words seem to resonate or cause skepticism?