Isaiah 25:4 “The poor and the helpless have fled to you and have been safe in times of trouble. You give them shelter from storms and shade from the burning heat. Cruel enemies attack like a winter storm,”

The meteorologist interrupted our show to announce a coming storm. Sitting sheltered in our den meant we were clueless of the danger heading our way. But as the weather pattern appeared on the screen, there was no doubt this storm would carry a punch. Soon came the all-too-familiar announcement: If you are in this viewing area you need to get to your safe place.

Gratefully, our family had pre-determined the location of our “safe place.” It was an interior room providing us maximum protection from the oncoming storm. There we sheltered safely until the danger passed and all returned to normal.

Truth be told, storms don’t always happen outdoors, nor can they be tracked by meteorologists. I realized this years later as I sat peacefully relishing the sunset and my phone rang with tragic news. I had been clueless of the impending storm of life that rocked my world. My heart longed for a shelter from the hurt. Gratefully, I turned to my pre-determined safe place: Jesus.

Throughout scripture, people sought Jesus for shelter from the storms of life. One of these is recorded through the story of a loving father in Mark 9. This man, like fathers today, must have burst with pride at the birth of his son – his heir. But an unforeseen storm was lurking on his horizon, and soon this precious son began suffering severe seizures. Oh, how this father’s heart must have broken each time he witnessed his child convulse. Without warning, this man’s world had been rocked. He needed a safe place and he found it in Jesus.

Jesus does not promise to prevent our storms, but He does promise to walk through the storms with us. Make no mistake, just as we settle comfortably into a life of smooth sailing, dark clouds will roll in, calm waters will swell, and our life will seem to fall apart. Remember our pre-determined safe place is with Jesus, and He will lovingly shelter us until the storm passes by.

Father God, during the crises of life, help us seek our safe place of shelter in You.

Blessings,