The young teacher was chatting with his students when a colleague entered his classroom and asked him why he wasn’t on break.

The colleague’s stare was intense, as if she wanted to say something else but couldn’t. Only later did the teacher realize she was trying to warn him to leave the building. A few minutes later, he was arrested and thrown into prison because of his belief in God.

His 6’ x 12’ cell contained a bare light bulb, a hard wooden bench, and a bucket for a toilet, but the teacher was at peace. He knew that though he would go through terrible trials, God would be with him. As he read his Bible, God’s reassuring Word washed over him and he fell asleep with silent words of gratitude and praise on his lips.

A refuge is a place of safety and protection, a shelter.

The teacher took refuge from fear because he knew who God is. Though his outward circumstances would terrify anyone, he could be thankful and filled with praise because his whole being belonged to God, who would walk through the valley of pain with His child, never leaving or abandoning him.

When you know that, you can praise the One who sees the big picture and is working things out for the best.