Sheltered In The Storm

Friday, October 9, 2015
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Psalm 9:9 – The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (NLT)

The morning was beautiful; we had no reason to expect a storm. My brother, two children, and I had set out for an overnight camping trip on the Appalachian Trail (AT). No sooner had we reached the gap where we were planning to camp than the sound of thunder began creeping through the mountain valleys. We quickly erected our tents. Within minutes, lighting was popping and rain was pouring. The only things separating us from danger were tall trees and the rubber mats we sat on. We knew that there was an AT shelter a few hundred yards down the trail, but we were scared to venture out. After thirty minutes, the storm subsided enough for us to hightail it to the shelter. There, we spent the next four hours listening as one storm after another crept across the mountains.

The psalmist pictures God as a shelter for those experiencing trouble. The AT shelter provided cover for us, but since it was only three-sided and just as exposed to lightning as our tents, we really weren't much safer there. The shelter didn't prevent the storm from coming nor did being in it shorten the length or intensity of the storm.

Having God as a shelter doesn't mean storms won't come. In fact, I've experienced numerous life storms since I made Him my shelter. But in the shelter, God will strengthen my faith in Him to protect me. He may not prevent the storm, but He will safely carry me through it. While the shelter doesn't affect the storm itself, being in the shelter changes my perspective. I'm reminded that my Shelter does have the ability to lessen the storm's intensity and duration if He chooses. The Shelter is the place where I'm reassured that God's in control, that He'll allow nothing in my life that doesn't carry the ability to form me more into His image. In the shelter of God's arms, I'm safe — even if the storm takes my life.

What are you running to for shelter when life gets loud and dangerous?

Prayer: Father, thank You for being our shelter when the storms of life assault us. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen, Martin. There’s no shelter like our Lord Jesus. Blessings.


    Dear Martin:
    You’re so right, there is no better shelter than our Abba.


    Dear Martin – The Lord has been my shelter in times of trial, keeping me safe in His arms. Thanks for writing.


    Martin, you sure have had your share of adventures! This was a great message reminding us the Lord is our cover in the midst of a storm.
    Blessings.


    A good explanation Martin,
    A relatable one for me.
    Thanks.
    Blessings in Christ Jesus.


    Dear Martin Wiles,
    Thank you for the SHELTER in the time of storm devotional, shelter even to death and eternity.
    Keep writing.


    Hello Martin:
    A very beautiful and picturesque meditation. On this Thanksgiving week-end in Canada it is good to read something so reaffirming.
    Thank you.


    Thank you for the reminder.


    Once again you remind us of such a timely assurance of our Lord’s protection that we need especially in these days of increasing world upheaval. Thank you Martin.


    Hey Martin! I’m familiar with those sudden AT storms. They are daily.
    The one night I actually made it to a shelter. It was wall to wall sleeping bags and no one squeezed together to allow others, Not even children, to take refuge. I was rather amazed at the selfishness. I always used single person tent.

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