he is no fool who takes refuge in Jesus

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

Nearly twenty years ago, I read the chilling accounts of five missionaries whose lives were abruptly ended in Ecuador, speared by the Auca Indians. The story shook my spiritual world. If following Jesus could lead to such danger, was it worth it? Yet, the words of Jim Elliot opened up for me the boundless reality of Jesus as King and Good Shepherd: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

In her book Shadow of the Almighty, Elisabeth Elliot tells the story of her husband, Jim Elliot, and the other four missionaries. Her account is both gripping and deeply moving. As you read, you begin to see that these missionaries anchored their lives to one unshakable truth: taking refuge under the shadow of the Almighty.

Yet, you cannot silence the inevitable whispers in your mind: If they were taking refuge under the shadow of the Almighty, why were they killed? Had God stopped providing them shelter? Had he abandoned them? Was he punishing them for unfaithfulness? Had he turned against them?

In the face of suffering, we may not receive textbook answers from God’s word. Instead, suffering expands our understanding of God’s love for His children through the Gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ. Like a wise parent unmoved by a child’s anxious questions, God does not always answer us in ways we expect or understand. Instead, He responds in the language of His unchanging character and love. When God enlarges our hearts (Ps. 119:32)—often against all odds—we begin to take refuge in Him (Ps. 27:4). Like the Psalmist in Psalm 91, the five missionaries found shelter and rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1). Though their lives ended abruptly and tragically, they were no fools. Let me tell you why.

What is a Refuge?

Refuge is a place of safety and security where you hide when you’re being attacked. It is an act of recognition that only God can provide safety, not anyone else. It is an acknowledgment of our vulnerability that seeks God’s protection. It is a counterintuitive but faith-fueled reliance on God. Taking refuge in God does not remove suffering, but weaves the tapestry of our hardship and hope, rooted in God’s goodness, justice, and love.

Who Takes Refuge?

When enemies attacked the Psalmist, he would hide in this place, pouring out his heart before God (Ps. 27:3-4). He realizes he lacks the strength, wisdom, or strategies to fight his enemies or his internal fears. He feels so vulnerable and helpless. That is when he gets up and goes to God (Ps. 27:4).

This is so counterintuitive. It reminds me of a sister who, despite suffering physical abuse at home, chooses to go to church every Sunday morning.[1] To her Hindu family, her faith is incomprehensible. Why would she worship a God who seemingly cannot protect her? But she chooses to take refuge in her Heavenly Father. She trusts that her pain—physical, emotional, and psychological—can only be understood in light of Jesus Christ bearing unimaginable pain on her behalf on the cross, and in His promise of a place with no more pain (Rev. 21:4).

Who takes God as their refuge? Only those who feel utterly helpless and vulnerable. It is their very vulnerability that draws them near to God. Their helplessness does not cause them to give up hope in His promises. This is beyond human wisdom—it is the work of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13, Rom. 8:14-17).

Jesus is Our Refuge

Because only God can truly protect, the Psalmist takes refuge in Him alone. This is one of the Psalmist’s deepest convictions. Here are ten reasons why Jesus is our only refuge (though there are many more):

1. He is God. He is the Eternal Son of God. There was no beginning or end to Him. He is the Alpha and Omega. Nothing was made without Him. He rules the world. He is sovereign and powerful.

2. He is eternally in fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He knows the value of fellowship, and He offers it to us freely.

3. Being God-man, He endured unimaginable pain and suffering in this world. Though He never sinned, He knows the force of temptation. He empathizes with our weaknesses.

4. He defeated death and the devil.

5. Sitting at the right hand of the Father, He is now interceding on behalf of His children.

6. He promised that He will never shame you or abandon you.

7. He promised that no one can snatch you from His hands.

8. He promised to give you rest and to bear your burdens.

9. He will come to render justice and settle all the accounts one day.

10. He has prepared a place where you can rest in His arms forever.

    
    

Will you take refuge in Jesus?

As you read this blog post, you may feel hopeless and helpless. But do you realize that your helplessness is what draws you closer to God? Instead of giving up, could you take a step forward and cry out to Him, “God, I am helpless. Please save me and rescue me”? Perhaps you feel you’ve been doing this for ages, and it seems to make no difference. Let me remind you: taking refuge in God is a counterintuitive act of faith—and it is never in vain. And, my friend, God delights to help weak people. He will come to you to help you, do not give up hope in Christ.

[1] Unlike in the West, the church here has to grapple with complex cultural issues, especially when justice is delayed or denied to victims. For lack of space, I am refraining from giving you the full picture of what it is like to care for an abuse victim. Maybe that is a topic for another day.