“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:9-10
Our God is both a shelter and a refuge. In 1719, Isaac Watts wrote the hymn, O God, Our Help in Ages Past and describes God as a shelter from the storms of life:
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
A shelter speaks of a temporary situation, while a refuge is more long-term. Stormy blasts are violent but brief, and often unexpected. God’s faithfulness reminds us that we have a shelter when life’s dramas suddenly engulf us. God is never surprised by a sudden turn of events or situations that abruptly become difficult. When unexpected circumstances occur, we may feel we don’t know what to do or how best to respond. Yet God is always approachable and when we come to him “we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16). We also have access to his wisdom. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5). God is our shelter.
Other situations are ongoing and long-term, more like a constant drizzle than a passing storm. The situation may be minor but annoying and ongoing. We long for the situation to resolve itself, but it continues. At such times, we need a refuge—a place of rest and renewal. God is our refuge who will strengthen us and give us hope as we trust in him.
As Christians, we never go through anything alone.
Let’s pray …
Thank you Lord that you’re never surprised by short stormy blasts or long drizzly showers. Right now, I acknowledge you are my shelter and refuge. I never go through anything alone.
In Jesus’ name
Amen
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