He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.”
—Psalm 91:1-2
Basements are quite unusual in certain parts of the country, like Texas and California. But for those of us who live in the Midwest’s tornado belt, basements are necessary shelter from frequent storms. For anyone who been in the midst of terrible storms, literal or figurative, there is nothing more comforting than finding safe and secure shelter.
The Psalmist writes of the peace and consolation for those who find shelter in the Almighty God. The one who rests securely in God’s protective care can confidently say that God is a place of refuge and a fortress. This is a word of comfort for the cancer patient who is overwhelmed by the frightening regiment of treatment described by the oncologist. It is a word of peace to the struggling addict who wants to run away from the former way of life. Knowing that God is our refuge and fortress brings security to the parents who bring home a newborn child from the hospital or who send a child off after graduating from high school or college.
We can live each day with the joy and confidence that we dwell in the shelter of the Most High. In the baptismal waters, the God who created us promised that we can rest securely in the Christian Church, like in ark in the midst of a storm. The Psalms are full of faithful promises of a gracious God to uncertain saints. He promises shelter and deliverance, rescue and refuge. In spite of the advances of technology, we still do not know for certain when and where tornadoes will touch down. But we face each figurative storm in our lives (and even the literal ones) with the certainty that God is faithful and will be our place of shelter. Even after the storms have struck the people of God have the opportunity to help those in need and to tell them about where we take shelter – in God’s caring hands.
Prayer – Lord God, You promise to help and comfort those who call upon You in the day of trouble. Grant us Your deliverance in Christ Jesus that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may not be overcome by adversity, but be strengthened to live confidently in Your love and peace. Make us to know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You and that nothing can separate us from Your love, which in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan