Seeking Shelter

The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.

Psalm 64:10

Years ago, while camping with five other girls in the Tetons of Wyoming, I went for a horseback ride and was caught in a surprise storm, with hail as large as golf balls falling fast and furious.

We were about a mile from the stable, and my horse, spooked by the hail pelting us, was racing at full speed. I feared for my life. I don’t want to die young. I want to get married and be a mother! I vividly remember crouching down as low as I could, and praying that God would help me hold on to the horse and spare my life. Thankfully, we made it back—shaken, sore, but safe.

Later I noticed that I had red welts all over my back, arms, and neck—the places where the hail had hit me. When I had calmed down from that welt-raising ride, I realized the welts were nothing compared to what could have happened if I had been tossed off the horse at full speed.

Now, when I cross paths with that beautiful word shelter, this incident comes to mind. A shelter is a refuge, a haven, a protection. Who doesn’t want to find shelter during a huge hailstorm?

I think we often forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shelter. He has provided a way of salvation so that we will be sheltered from the consequences of dying in our sin and living apart from God forever, in an actual place called hell. He also acts as our Shelter in the lightning, thunder, and hailstorms of life. Even in the little showers that are more frustrating than dangerous, He provides a shelter for our minds and emotions. We are completely covered in Christ’s protection and care always.

Take cover in His shelter today—every day—forever and ever! Check out the way Jesus, the righteous King, is described in Isaiah 32:1-2.