Articles
Storm Shelter
When planning our move to Alabama, one thing I promised Bonnie was that we would have a storm shelter. Several years ago, a tornado destroyed our great aunt’s house and came very close to taking out almost all of Bonnie’s family. I take tornados seriously, so I didn’t want Bonnie or whoever might be visiting our home to be unsafe. We would have a shelter installed.
Our house didn’t have an obvious place for one, but that didn’t stop me. I kept my promise and now we have shelter. The money spent is nothing that comes from the peace of mind that comes from knowing we have a place of protection.
When installing it, I was told that this metal box was rated to handle an EF-5 tornado. That made me feel uncomfortable the same way that being told that not even God could sink the Titanic should have made the passengers uncomfortable. Nothing in this world is full proof. As strong as we might make something, there is always a threat more powerful and more dangerous.
Which reminds me that while I have a metal box in my garage, my real shelter needs to be stronger. What I need—what we all need—is protection from God. He is our ultimate shelter. Nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:38-39). With just a few words, His Son calms terrifying storms (Mt. 8:23-27). That’s the sort of power that doesn’t just make us feel safe, it makes us truly safe. Even if we should perish, not even that is more powerful than God. We have the promise of resurrection and being brought safely into His kingdom (John 11:25-26; II Tim. 4:8,18).
As I type this, the shelter is on the other side of the house. I’m not in it. If a storm were to suddenly appear, I would not be safe where I am. A shelter existing is of no benefit if we do not enter into it. Therefore, if the weather is predicted to be severe, it would be wise for me to stay within easy reach. The same is true with God. He is the ultimate place of refuge, but only if we enter into Him—only if we stay with Him. In a world overflowing with spiritual storms, it’s not safe to spend even a moment outside of God’s protection.
Being baptized into Christ is the first step (Gal. 3:26). Staying with Him—walking in a manner pleasing to Him—is the next (Ps. 140:13).
We have a shelter. It’s been installed close to us. Don’t be so foolish as to stand on the outside gawking at your approaching doom.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
Psalm 91:1-4
