Relief, Refuge, Refreshment — But From Where?
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.”
— Psalm 91:1,4 ESV
We all need relief. A break. A breath. A soft landing when the day hits hard or just feels dull.
But let me ask you something — where do you turn when you need that relief? Who or what becomes your refuge?
On a bad day, maybe even just a bored day, what’s your go-to?
Your phone? That show? Food? A person?
These little comforts of life aren’t always bad — but they can become substitutes. Fleshly substitutes. Instant fixes that promise rest but can’t deliver real refreshment.
We All Want the Quick Way Out
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the enemy offered Him comfort — bread for His hunger, glory without the cross, even a false promise of divine rescue.
But Jesus didn’t take the shortcuts.
And after all the testing, angels came and ministered to Him (Matt. 4:11).
Real relief doesn’t come through escape. It comes after endurance.
It comes when we choose God as our refuge instead of the world’s quick fixes.
The Stew That Cost Everything
Esau sold his birthright for a single bowl of stew (Gen. 25:29–34).
Hebrews 12 calls him unholy for doing it — not because he was hungry, but because he traded the presence and promise of God for momentary relief.
That stew could be anything today.
A relationship. A purchase. A habit.
Anything we reach for instead of Him.
The False Promises of Refuge
Our world — especially the Western world — is designed to keep us comfortable.
Everything is marketed as a refuge:
"This meal will change your life."
"This person will complete you."
"This amount of money will finally give you peace."
But they never do. Because they can’t.
There is only one true refuge — and it’s not a place or a product. It’s a Person.
What Does Choosing God as Refuge Look Like?
It looks like crucifying the flesh.
Not in a legalistic way. Not in a joyless way. But in a life-giving way.
It means:
Fasting.
Praying.
Showing up — even when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you don’t.
Being aware of what (or who) you’re running to for relief.
Telling yourself no — even when you can afford to say yes.
That might sound crazy in a culture built around the hustle to live how you want, when you want, where you want.
But the gospel doesn’t promise we’ll feel at home in this world. It says we’re not of this world.
Where’s Your Home?
Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden… and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 AMP)
Not relief that fades. Not shallow comfort. Rest. Refuge. Refreshment.
He is the place. He is the how. He is the who.
The Most High invites you to dwell in His shelter — to live in the shadow of His wings.
It’s not always flashy. It’s not always easy.
But it is always worth it.
Let’s not trade our birthright for stew.
Let’s not settle for substitutes.
Let’s run to the One who actually gives us what our souls are aching for — relief, refuge, and refreshment.