Allowing God to be Your Refuge

Psalm 62:8 - Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Such a simple verse right?  But there is so much to learn here.  

Trust in Him at all times.

What is trust exactly?  Google defines 'trust' as "to believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of" someone or something."  

That's pretty straightforward right?  But for us humans who aren't robots, trust is more than a definition on a page.  What does it mean to trust someone?

To really trust someone means you are able to be yourself with them, to tell them anything.  Think of the person you trust the most.  That person probably knows more about you than anyone else in the universe.  They have seen the goofiest you as well as the worst you.  Because you aren't afraid of being real with them.

So do you really trust God at all times?  Are you able to be the best you as well as the worst you when you are in His presence?  Are you able to tell Him anything and everything?  Or do you 'hide' your true feelings and character?

We should really trust in Him at all times, trust Him "to guide us when we are in doubt, to protect us when we are in danger, to supply us when we are in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work" (Henry).  We are to trust Him with our everything.

Pour out your heart before Him.

God does not want us to hide our true thoughts and feelings. It is better when we can be honest and open with Him, to tell Him how we are feeling.  When we trust, we tell - it is that simple.    

The thing is, we can't really hide our thoughts and feelings from the Lord.  He knows them anyhow.  So why do we try?  Why do we pretend like everything is okay when we go to Him in prayer?  Some answers are as follows:

I don't think He cares.

He does.  More than you can ever know or understand.  "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." - Luke 12:7

We're supposed to have it all together (I probably fall somewhere in this category).

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness..." - Romans 8:26a

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

God already knows that we are weak sometimes.  He doesn't expect us to have it all together.  Look at the great men and women of the Bible.  David had an affair and to cover it up had a man murdered.  Sarah laughed at God when she was told she would have children.  Jonah doubted God could ever change the Ninevites.  Peter denied Christ THREE times!  None of them had it all together so why do we feel we have to?

It's embarrassing or shameful (also something I struggle with).

God forgives.  It doesn't make sense sometimes but it is what He does.  Over and over again.  

"Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1

You see, in the end, none of those excuses matter.  Not one.  God wants us to pour our hearts out before Him, to bear all for Him - "we must lay our grievances before Him, offer up our desires to Him with all humble freedom, and then entirely refer ourselves to His disposal, patiently submitting our wills to His; this is pouring out our hearts" (Henry).  When we tell God all, when we really pour out our heart to Him, that is when our faith is really active.

God is a refuge for us.

But we have to be willing to take refuge in the refuge we have been given: "We take refuge in our Refuge when we set our faith on God, and tell Him all that threatens or troubles us" (Expositor's Commentary).  

I say it over and over - but it all comes back to our hearts.  Is your heart an open book before the Lord?  Do you tell Him all of your ups and downs?  Your doubts and fears?  It is only then that He can truly be a refuge.  You must trust, tell all, and have faith.