Refuge
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3
On September 21st 1989, my family was hunkered down as Hurricane Hugo headed straight for our house in Moncks Corner, SC. Something that was so powerful, that could not be stopped by human effort or hands, had changed directions and was coming straight for us. I was in my junior year of high school and scared to death.
I felt so helpless and couldn’t believe that there was no one to call for help. There was no safe place to hide from the storm. Until now, my parents had always been able to protect me or find someone that could. Though my parents loved me very much, there was nothing that they could do. There was nothing that we could do to avoid or escape the storm. I think that was the point.
I was a new Christian and God was teaching me something that I needed to learn. Hurricane Hugo was ferocious and did great damage to our home. We lost power and more than 50 trees in our yard. The storm blew the shingles off our house and the rain sprayed through the windows and the doors. Through it all God protected us.
Hurricane Hugo taught me something wonderful about God. It taught me the very same thing that God teaches us in Psalm 46. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He alone provides safety and refuge in the midst of the storm.
He was our help and hiding place during Hurricane Hugo. He himself provided a place of safety in the midst of the storm. He protected us from danger. Unfortunately, it often takes a storm to put things in perspective.
God will go to great lengths to show us our need for Him. He did that for me through Hurricane Hugo. No one is safe from the storms of life. At some point you will come face to face with your own personal storm. Where will you run for safety? Who will you turn to for help? Run to Christ! He is our hiding place and our strong deliverer.
Prayer: Father You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart, With songs of deliverance, Whenever I am afraid. I will trust in You.