Many of Skillet’s songs are prayers for God to teach us to realize that this life isn't forever. They remind us that if we build our lives on scripture, we would all have a rock as our foundation as we navigate our lives.
It's been a treat for me to watch Skillet’s meteoric ascent into one of rock's biggest bands. The incredible success of their last five albums Comatose, Awake, Rise, Unleashed, and Victorious has been astounding. Each album moves the band to another level of popularity.
Their latest worshipful song “Refuge,” from their upcoming album, Dominion, has captivated my spirit. It features introspective lyrics and a beautiful refrain with emotive vocals. It is yet another reflective ballad in the vein of "Stars." It also includes a catchy musical vibe and worshipful message.
I had the chance to speak with John about “Refuge,” which is our 15th Behind the Song discussion together.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
There’s a scripture that was one of the first Bible passages I memorized as a kid, Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” I’ve always loved that passage, as it’s so simple and you don’t need to know a lot about the Bible, theology, or philosophy.
You just need to know that whatever your circumstance, God is our refuge. I used that passage of Scripture in the book that I wrote as well. It has always been impactful to me. I was probably five years old when I memorized that passage.
One of the things I’d like to get across in this song is that having a refuge indicates that things won’t always be good. You don’t need a hiding place if things are always going well. I always understood we’re going to have times of trouble. Whatever may come it’s going to be okay because God is my refuge. It may not guarantee the outcome you want, but He will keep you safe. It’s a simple message but it has lasted with me my whole life.
What Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 91:1-2(NIV): “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Proverbs 30:5(NIV): “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
Psalm 59:16(NKJV): “But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”
Psalm 118:8(NIV): “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.”
Psalm 46:1(NKJV): “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 119:11(NIV): "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
Psalm 119:114(NKJV): "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word."
Psalm 71:1-3(NIV): “In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my Rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.”
1 John 4:18-19(NKJV): "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."
John 10:10(ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 16:33(NIV): "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Deuteronomy 31:6(NKJV): "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
What is the takeaway message?
It’s funny how when you read Proverbs and Psalms over and over and then something new hits you like it’s the first time, like from these passages about God being our refuge. We choose whether to choose God as our refuge. The problem for every one of us since Adam and Eve is that we run to the wrong kind of refuge.
We don’t always run to things that keep us safe, but sometimes run to things that harm us. “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans,” as referenced in Psalm 118:8.
There’s a lyric in the song, “It’s getting harder to say I’m undefeated.” It came out, and then I thought about it. And it’s the opposite of what I’ve been saying in other songs where I proclaim about being victorious. It’s been harder to be undefeated as things in the world are very challenging right now. I’m arguing with even some of my deepest friends now. People are letting me down. God won’t let you down.
The world is changing so drastically around us. And those who choose self over rest in God aren’t peaceful as they are at war in their hearts. In the end, some may believe that Jesus died for us, but they think they know better than God. God is our fortress and protects us, and His ways are higher than our ways.
Lyrics
When I open my eyes
I can't believe it
How the world
Can look so different
Than we were dreaming
It's getting harder
To say I'm undefeated
When the best my heart
Can hope for is breaking even
Here and now
Reaching out
In my hurt
I don't know how
But I know I'm not alone
I can face my darkest night
'Cause I trust You with my life
I'm not afraid
For You are my refuge
When it's heavy on my chest
You're the place I catch my breath
You are the only one I hold onto
Oh 'cause You are my refuge
I know how this ends
I'm gonna make it
Your Word is in my heart
No one could ever take it
Here and now
In this hour
Come and fill me
With Your power
Let me know I'm not alone
I can face my darkest night
'Cause I trust You with my life
I'm not afraid
For You are my refuge
When it's heavy on my chest
You're the place I catch my breath
You are the only one I hold onto
Every day and darkest night
I trust You at all times
I'm not afraid
For You are my refuge
And when I've got nothing left
You're the place I find my rest
You are the only one that I run to
Yes, You are my refuge
You're my rest
You're my rock
You're my fortress
You're my strength
You're my shield
And You're my defense
Nothing could ever
Take me from You
Nothing's ever gonna
Take me from You
I can face my darkest night
'Cause I trust You with my life
I'm not afraid
For You are my refuge
When it's heavy on my chest
You're the place I catch my breath
You are the only one I hold onto
Every day and darkest night
I trust You at all times
I'm not afraid
For You are my refuge
And when I've got nothing left
You're the place I find my rest
You are the only one that I run to
Yes, You are my refuge
Closing Thoughts
"Refuge" is a daily prayer asking God to come and change our hearts and change our lives in such a way that our behavior and the way we live flow from God living inside of us. Only Jesus can give us our identity. What a powerful expression of what it means to accept that God never leaves or forsakes us. He’s all we need.
The song represents life. It challenges us to step out in faith and trust God—even when we want to give up or can't see where we're going. Remember, we aren't the source of power to overcome our challenges. God is our greater power source that brings true power. In our weakness, God's strength is perfect.
This song represents the victory that we have over our battles—even before we know the earthly outcome. So, trust that God is going before us and wins. If we think about the type of faith we’re called to have as believers, it’s described as the faith of a mustard seed.
“Refuge” is also a faith statement. Righteousness was accredited to Abraham for his faith. We need to have the faith that the Bible describes in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV): "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." When you sing along with this great song, think of Jesus saying, as he says in Matthew 8:26: "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Have faith, don't be afraid, and know that with Jesus, you’ll never be alone.
Being a Christian means that we walk by faith, not by sight. Faith requires us to rely on the unseen. We all walk by faith every day. The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can learn to trust God more fully with our lives. I love singing this song back to Jesus and telling Him plainly that I need no other than Him.
We can certainly relate to the "refuge" imagery of this song. It represents life and includes some great challenges for us to step out in faith and trust in God—even when we want to give up or can't see where we’re going.
God tells us in the Bible that with faith, we can do anything in Christ. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song filled with biblical truth. We can face our daily battles with more courage and strength because we know that whatever the outcome, based on His promise in Romans 8:28 "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This is a truth for believers to cling to. We're not supposed to just hope it is true or turn to the Lord as our last resort, but be washed by the truth of the Word of God daily.
As followers of Jesus, we can live out the words: “I can face my darkest night/'Cause I trust You with my life/I'm not afraid/For You are my refuge/When it's heavy on my chest/You're the place I catch my breath/You are the only one I hold onto.” You can sincerely pray these words along with Skillet. His love is never-ending, and He is our refuge and our strength. Amen to that.
NRT Lead Contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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