A Shelter From the Storms
Today in the Northeast, even as I am writing, we have heavy winds and rains and are expecting to feel the effects of tropical storm Nicole as she comes up the coast. The Midwest has experienced its share of flooding this week. Then there were the mudslides in Mexico. And, that is probably just a few of the areas around our world that have had to deal with storms in recent days. We live in a world that is constantly experiencing one storm after another.
Of course, when we speak about the “storms of life”, we use that phrase not only in a meteorological sense, but also in a metaphorical one. The phrase, the “storms of life” often refer to the difficulties that we face within our lives: sickness, pain, broken relationships, the loss of a job, sudden catastrophes, the death of a loved one. All of these things and many more can be referred to as a “storm.” At times it can feel as if we are living from one storm to the next.
Unfortunately, none of us are exempt from storms – not the meteorological ones nor the metaphorical ones. Each one of us finds ourselves time and again in the midst of some type of storm. Too many times we find ourselves faced with the difficulties of life along with an uncertain future. And, our tendency may be to feel beaten down and blown around by the storms, hopeless and filled with despair.
But, the Bible tells us that even in the midst of our storms there is hope, for God has promised us shelter; even to be our shelter. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.” (Isaiah 25:4 – NIV) The Psalmist wrote, “I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." (Psalm 55:8 – NIV)
The hymn writer Vernon J. Charlesworth wrote these words:
The Lord’s our Rock in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm.
Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day; defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm.
No fears alarm, no foes affright, a shelter in the time of storm.
A raging storm may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm.
We’ll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, a shelter in the time of storm.
Be thou are helper ever near, a shelter in the time of storm.
O Jesus is the rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm!
If you are facing a storm in your life today, turn to the One who has promised to be your “shelter in the time of storm.” In him you will find the safety, security, and peace you need.
Have a great day!
-Pastor Harris
Of course, when we speak about the “storms of life”, we use that phrase not only in a meteorological sense, but also in a metaphorical one. The phrase, the “storms of life” often refer to the difficulties that we face within our lives: sickness, pain, broken relationships, the loss of a job, sudden catastrophes, the death of a loved one. All of these things and many more can be referred to as a “storm.” At times it can feel as if we are living from one storm to the next.
Unfortunately, none of us are exempt from storms – not the meteorological ones nor the metaphorical ones. Each one of us finds ourselves time and again in the midst of some type of storm. Too many times we find ourselves faced with the difficulties of life along with an uncertain future. And, our tendency may be to feel beaten down and blown around by the storms, hopeless and filled with despair.
But, the Bible tells us that even in the midst of our storms there is hope, for God has promised us shelter; even to be our shelter. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.” (Isaiah 25:4 – NIV) The Psalmist wrote, “I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." (Psalm 55:8 – NIV)
The hymn writer Vernon J. Charlesworth wrote these words:
The Lord’s our Rock in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm.
Secure whatever ill betide, a shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day; defense by night, a shelter in the time of storm.
No fears alarm, no foes affright, a shelter in the time of storm.
A raging storm may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm.
We’ll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, a shelter in the time of storm.
Be thou are helper ever near, a shelter in the time of storm.
O Jesus is the rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm!
If you are facing a storm in your life today, turn to the One who has promised to be your “shelter in the time of storm.” In him you will find the safety, security, and peace you need.
Have a great day!
-Pastor Harris
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