Trials or Tragedies are inevitable as
long as we are alive on earth. How we
face them and go through them is what
makes the difference between living in
fear and anger or living in peace and
joy. In “Refuge”, I want to depict the
truths that we all need to know and
believe if we are to find the inner
peace we all long for. These truths
are: we are "never alone," and we are
accompanied by One who gives us the
ability to face anything that comes our
way. When we do face these times in our
lives He helps us make it through them
"intact" – they are not unto our
destruction. In this painting, I've
portrayed these truths in the stained
glass window depicting the three Hebrews
from the Bible in Daniel, who were
protected in Nebuchadnezzer's fiery
furnace by the angel of the Lord to the
amazement of many witnesses. The fireman
in the painting, is, also, a symbol of
someone who is protected from modern day
flames and is pondering in a moment of
reflection, the Truth of the biblical
account. As the fireman gathers
courage from the ancient story and from
the reality of the One who says "I will
never leave you," he realizes he has
chosen to go against what seems like "hell"
(fiery blazes) to help those in trouble
- taking a stand in a way and place that
could do him great harm. His willingness
to take this stand is worth emulating as
we, too, will be faced with our own “too
hot to handle” circumstances. It takes
more than fireman's gear to face the
blazes of life, it takes courage, as
well. No matter what you face in life,
from past hurts to present
circumstances, I hope you find the
courage to go through it - in the
strength and comfort of the One who
longs to be your Refuge.
~ Mark Keathley – September 2011
Summary Points
1. Our refuge is our
faith and trust in Jesus that He is
always with us.
2. Even in fiery
flames, He is with us ~ protecting us ~
comforting us in time of trouble
3. The inscription on
the alter say, "I am with you always"
4. The little girl is
comforting her father as he seeks
comfort in his Father.
5. When we need
courage to overcome life's obstacles, we
need to take time to reflect and seek
God for He is our place of Refuge.
