Several times in the Bible we read of people that were saved from destruction because of the safety they were given by God. In most cases, there was a PLACE that the person had to be in order to find shelter and relief. 

For Noah, it was IN the ark – Genesis 7:1-5

“Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.”And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.” 

For Rahab, it was IN her house – Joshua 2:19

“So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him.”

For the accidental killer, it was IN the city of refuge – Numbers 35:11, 12

“Then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment.”

Although we may not be in physical danger that we need a place of safety, we are often in spiritual and emotional danger. Is there a place for us? Yes! It’s IN the church! – Acts 2:47

The church is not a place for judgment when a brother or sister reaches out for encouragement and prayer. None of us have it “all together” and the deep love that we receive from our church family will help us through those valleys of life. However, perhaps we are worried about what others would think or the rumors that would start. On more than one occasion, I needed to take the front seat, but what would that say about spiritual strength of the preacher? There is not a single person that should feel shame about needing help. This is why God designed the church – Hebrews 10:24, 25

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

1. Consider one another – to have a kind sympathy toward the welfare of one another. We all have the same trials, and we all need the same consideration to strengthen each other.

2. Exhorting one another – there is always the temptation to isolate oneself from the church and in doing so, we will fall to temptation. The buddy system always works best!

I understand that there will be times when are faith and trust in the Lord is strong. When Satan is not throwing his fiery darts against us. When the armor of God is doing what it was designed to do.

But I also know that there are times when the pressure of the world is bearing down on us. When illness, loss, strife, and decisions that need to be made make our hearts heavy. I know God is available all the time and praying to Him should be first and foremost, but we also need to feel the safety that we have in the church to seek additional prayers, resources, or encouragement.

Having the courage to say I need help should not also carry the added weight of what will people think. Our responsibility to only care what God thinks and if we are all doing that, then the church will be that place of refuge that God intended it to be.

By: Justin Odom