Psalm 16 - Magic Bullet

I’m not a huge fan of the magic bullet. Mostly because when we put everything into one bucket it typically leaves blind spots. Thus nullifying the reality that it is a true “magic bullet” and offering more and more proof that one may not even exist. This will always be the case as long as we think of the bullet as a “thing” instead of a “who” and a “what”. This may be at the heart of our struggle with circumstance. David knew this. For him, the “who” was God and the “what”, was finding refuge.

“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” – Psalm 16:1

If we lived life from the position of a found refuge in God, life would change. If we were constantly aware that our refuge comes from Him, if we made decisions based on that protection, relief, and comfort, if we sought Him as our primary source of help, and if we allowed everything to flow out of that reality, we’d find the magic bullet for life. We’d find it in Christ. It would saturate everything and offer a new confidence. Anything not covered by this “bullet” would not only seem insignificant, it would be proven so.

I love that this is verse 1. It’s an opening statement for David as much as it is a prayer or request. He has the confidence to make the request to God only because his statement of refuge is true. And he was known as a man after God’s own heart.

It makes me wonder how great God’s desire is for us to find refuge in Him. How close is it to His heart? Is it possible that this is one of His greatest offerings through Christ? For many, faith has become anything but refuge. It has become powerless, rote, or even daunting. It has become something to be done instead of something you are. It has become a part of life instead of life itself.

If our foundation is refuge, true refuge, this would never be the case.