An Abusive Relationship
1I love you, Yahweh, my strength. 2Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. 3I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies.
18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, 19and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
The psalmist writes as someone who has lived under threat, and the words he chooses for God are all safety words: rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, stronghold. Notice what this psalm knows — that escape and refuge are holy things, that God is on the side of the one in danger. And Jesus announces his whole mission as release for captives and freedom for the oppressed. Hear this clearly: God does not ask you to endure abuse. Not for the relationship, not for faith, not for anything. What is happening to you is not your fault, and leaving danger is not a failure of love or belief — the Bible's own language for God is a safe place to run to.
The psalm calls God a fortress — a place you run to, not a reason to stay. What would reaching real safety require, and who could help you take the first step?
God, I am frightened of someone I wasn't supposed to have to fear. My days are spent reading moods and managing tempers, and I have become small trying to stay safe. Tell me the truth louder than the other voice does: this is not love's price, this is not my fault, and you do not ask me to endure it. You call yourself a fortress — be one. Clear my mind to see my situation as you see it. Put wise, capable people in my path, and give me courage for the step in front of me, whatever it needs to be. Guard me and those I love. Amen.