God is Our Home Free Zone
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Psalm 91, Luke 5:16, Mark 6:30-32, Psalm 139:7-12
1 Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. 2 Then you will say to the , “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.” 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 5 You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon. 7 You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you. 8 And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked. 9 The Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, 10 and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. 11 God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones. 13 You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes. 14 The Lord says, “If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. 15 When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you. 16 You will live a long life and see my saving power.”
Psalm 91
30 After the apostles returned to Jesus, they told him everything they had done and taught. 31 But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let's go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest.” 32 They left in a boat for a place where they could be alone.
Mark 6:30-32
7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? 8 If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there. 9 Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. 10 Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. 11 Or suppose I said, “I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.” 12 But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.
Psalm 139:7-12
Memory Verse
Psalm 62:8
8 God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.
Have you ever played Tag? Imagine, your heart is beating fast, and all you can focus on is getting to the “Home Free” zone (Some people call this the "safe zone," "goal," or "home base"). Somehow, getting to that tree or bench is the safest, best possible option. When life gets overwhelming, scary and feels out of control, you need to find safe spaces like that “Home Free” zone. God is the safest place we can seek when life gets hard.
Did you know that even Jesus needed to find safe spaces? (Check out Luke 5:16, Mark 6:30-32.) Life was busy, and crowds of people were often seeking him out to heal and help them. Jesus got away and went to his favorite garden for some soul care. It wasn’t the garden that was special though; it was who he spent time with in that garden. Jesus spent time talking to God because he knew that God is the best safe space we can find.
Psalm 139:7-12 says that there is nowhere we can go where God won’t find us. We don’t have to hide anything from God because he already knows it. Our feelings are never too big for him. He can handle it all! God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8). Refuge means being safe or sheltered from danger or trouble. Life can be very troubling. But God is always ready and waiting to be our “Home Free Zone.” We can run to him at any time, and God promises to shelter us with his peace and love. He is our safe space, our true refuge.
Prayer
Thank you, God, that you are my safe place. I can always run to you because you are always there. Help me to see you in the world around me. May your love and peace fill my heart. I trust your promise that your faithfulness covers me like a shield because you are my refuge at all times. Amen.Related Resources
Holly Sperling
Holly Sperling teaches grade 2 at Edmonton Christian School in Edmonton, Alberta. She loves journeying with children and their families to discover God’s redemptive love and role in His story. Holly and her husband, Burke have a blended family of five, enjoying being grandparents and are attempting to train their very active Pyrenees Poodle.