My Shelter and Strong Tower

The wind is blowing hard today, just as it did yesterday. With temperatures rising, the land is becoming arid and even though it has only been two days, already some neighbors have complained that they are weary of it.

World news is far worse. Fires in normally wet places, like Florida, reveal arid conditions of far greater concern than the dryness in our corner of the planet. Lack of rain is a minor concern here compared to some regions that are flooding with too much rain. The cyclone in Myanmar makes the strong wind here seem like a breeze. We have nothing to complain about. In comparison, these and other things, like the earthquake in China, make our annoying weather a walk in the park. I cannot imagine the weariness of souls who have lost everything and are without the basics for survival. Even when relief teams bring supplies, rice and water cannot mend their broken spirits.

There is an old hymn called A Shelter in the time of Storm. It includes the lines: "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. 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."

These thoughts come from Isaiah 32:1-2. It says, “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”

This world needs this man who is a resting place where we can hide from all assaults. All of Scripture points to His identity as the man sent by God, Jesus Christ. Only He can make the claim to be all that anyone will ever need, no matter their circumstances or stresses.

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus offers this invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

For those who accept, He shows Himself to be their hiding place. He gives solace when everything else is handing out grief. He gives a sense of security even in the middle of chaos. He makes a solid place of assurance when everything else shifts and moves and makes no sense.

My heart is filled with gratitude for Him and that I can say to Jesus, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7) and “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).