You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Ps. 32:7)
I remember certain moments of sheer panic as the wind rattled around and battered the humble rafters of our summer cottage. Those blacker-than-black nights when the ocean hollered at the shore and threw its fierce taunts at the nearby vacation homes hunkered down for the night. I remember being startled awake by thunder shots fired and surprised again and again at how bright a flash of lightening could be across a dark sky. And I remember how soothing it was when one parent or another checked in and turned on a small night light to remind me that we were safe.
When my own children were littles, I experienced this scenario from a fresh perspective. They would hide under their covers, or perhaps be brave enough to dive beneath mine. There was nothing I could do to quiet the thunder or darken the lightening. But I could be present. Calm, soothing, and present. So often that included running my fingers along soft brow lines and singing to them in the night.
The Lord does not promise us a trouble-free life. In fact, Jesus guaranteed troubles would come. But the psalmist knew that God’s constancy of character and depth of love for him would not fail him even in the middle of a storm’s chaos. Like the psalmist, we can look to our unfailing God for comfort and protection.
When the storms come, reach out to the Lord to receive protection.
Elizabeth Rhyno is a wife, mom, and worship leader. Elizabeth chooses to pursue the Lord and trust him for courage and a joyful inheritance.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
