I was reading Psalm one hundred and forty-two one day in August twenty twenty-three. When I got to verse four, I remembered my friend, Tolade Adebayo, and the title of his Poem I have used for this write-up. That was in the year one thousand nine hundred and eighty-three.

Then we were not so much inclined to a particular faith although we had a hunger for our Creator. The attitude of "People of faith" was discouraging. We were then in a state of confusion until the Lord showed me the light to walk on the right way, a few years later. I believe that He must have done the same for my friend because we have lost contact since then.

A Refuge Is Needed.
In this life, there are so many challenges facing human beings. There are natural and man-made disasters almost everywhere. There are spiritual and physical troubles that need to be taken care of but by whom?

It is a common thing to seek the help of man when trouble ensues. People call on the government of the day to come to their aid in times of trouble. When the government or non-governmental organizations come in, such people experience some relief or comfort. Certain disasters call for relocation of the victims to a specific place for some time where they will live as refugees
Do you know what? There is a limit to what man can do to help fellow man because he is limited and has limited resources. Not only that, expected help may fail to come at all or come on time. It may not be available from the expected source.

This was the experience of the writer of Psalm 142. He laments
"I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. Psalm 142:4.

There are four things to note here:
1. Like any man, he looked for the right person in the right place. You also have a catalog of the right persons who should be able to be available when due. You are not wrong. Everyone does that. Each person employs the same approach to issues of life. However, it doesn't work out that way most of the time. They may not be available for many reasons. This may be intentional or due to circumstances beyond their control.

2. Those you seek refuge from can even be available but pretend or deny ever knowing you. It happened to the Songwriter of Israel as can be read above.

3. Refuge failed him. Like anyone else, refuge may fail you as well. Don't forget, that mankind has its limits. Let me turn the searchlight to you. Do you know that you cannot always be available to attend to the needs of all those who need you at the same time or care for the same person all the time? Why? You are also a human being!

The Scriptures counsel,
"Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house." Micah7:5-6.

Refuge fails!

4. The lamentation of the writer continues when he is specific in the area where he needs care, his soul. Do you know that, everyone is guilty of this, you don't consider the welfare of the soul of the fellow whom you see as the place of refuge? Many times when a refuge functions, it takes care of the other aspects of life but not the soul. This needs regular attention that is not easily or always available from man.

*A Sure And Better Refuge.*
When refuge fails, run to God. The Psalmist is right to declare,

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." Psalm 118: 8-9.

Beloved reader, do you now know that you need a place of refuge? When something unfriendly to your flesh or soul happens where do you run to for safety? If you have other alternatives, I will not want to condemn you for doing so but the day those alternatives will fail you, licking of fingers will follow. May you not regret how you live your life and how you end in the name of Jesus Christ. Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord.

Note.
All Scriptures quoted are from the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.