Read: Psalm 61:1-4
For You have been a shelter for me, … I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 61:1a, 4b (NKJV*)
As we face the pandemic that is sweeping across the world—COVID-19, our leaders (world, national, state, and local) are working diligently to accurately assess the pandemic spread, put into place orders and guidelines to help stop the spread of the virus, and ensure people are well-cared for and safe. Churches are ministering to their congregants and communities in a myriad of ways.
Many people all over the world are “sheltering in place” which means staying in their homes unless they need to leave for “essential” activities and work so they will be safe and not get infected with the virus.
So much of what I read on social media is people talking about how they do not feel safe, even while “sheltering in place.” They are very fearful not only about catching the virus, but about what their future and the futures of everyone else. They are hearing and reading so much conflicting information that makes it difficult to determine the truth. Many other people are talking about how lonely they are and wondering where they would be without social media.
I saw one woman’s post that said, “I’m stuck all alone at home. A shelter is supposed to make you feel safe. I do not feel safe!”
How thankful I am that as a Christ-follower that my safety is not dependent upon the earthly shelter in which I am living, and even though I may be alone in my shelter, I am never alone!
The past several days, Vernon J. Charlesworth’s hymn, A Shelter in the Times of Storm, has been on my mind. It is based on our Scripture reading as it identifies the Lord as our shelter in which we are safe during the storms of life.
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.
Scripture pictures the Lord as “our Rock” in whom we can trust (Isaiah 26:4). In this shelter we will be secure, regardless of what comes. Job 11:18-19 reiterates this truth: And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. You will lie down, and nonewill make you afraid; many will court your favor (ESV).
Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Psalm 63:1 tells us, O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water (ESV).
A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
This is the stanza that keeps running through my mind these days. The Lord is indeed our shelter as he provides shade by day and defense at night. Psalm 56:3-4 expresses, When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (ESV).
The raging storms 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.
The Lord is our retreat where safety is found as Psalm 23:2-3a tells us: Hmakes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. (ESV)
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
God, the Rock, is our refuge as Psalm 46:1a tells us, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (ESV).
God is always with us as a strong tower and a refuge. When we are fearful or lonely, we must come to Him in prayer asking Him to be our shelter. Since we know God is our refuge, we will trust Him more and be more assured that He is sovereign in everything we face and that He will be with us, giving us comfort and strength.
It is important to point out that God being our shelter or refuge does not mean that we will never face difficult situations—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. It does mean that as we face these days of “sheltering in place” we must make certain that we are being sheltered by the Rock, who will give us the strength we need to face the changes and challenges we face during the pandemic.
Prayer: Our Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a shelter in our times of need. Help us learn to trust you more. Strengthen us to walk through this season of our lives with the confidence that You are at work in and through everything that happens. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Ponder This: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
All Scripture is taken from the English Standard Version of The Holy Bible, unless otherwise noted.
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