He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Ps. 91:1)

BEHIND THE COUCH. Anytime the thunder cracked and the lightning flashed, that’s where we’d find our little dog, Tanner. Rocky Mountain thunderstorms are amazing, beautiful, thrilling, and, yes, dangerous . . . if you are out in them. From indoors, however, you can watch the lightning perform its stunning dance of God’s power in safety. But Tanner didn’t know that. He’d peek from behind the couch and look at us as if to say, “Don’t you know we’re supposed to be hiding?”

Our world is not always safe. The psalmist acknowledged that. There are fowlers out to trap us and pestilence ready to harm us and battles raging all around. There is nothing imaginary about the danger. Yet he said that in the midst of it all we can stand fearless, knowing that none of it can touch the one who loves God. He will shelter and protect us.

Yes, we walk through dangerous territory. We will experience hard times. But we can run to the shelter of our Lord. From there, safe in His care, we can simply watch it all happen, our souls untouched. It’s like we’re looking through the window, just watching the breathtaking display of God’s power in the storm, instead of cowering behind the couch and missing it all. Tanner was safe in the shelter of our house. He just couldn’t believe it.Diane Gardner

Read Psalm 91 aloud, especially during the next thunderstorm.

Diane Gardner lives in the San Francisco Bay area where she enjoys theater, street fairs, and watching the sun set with her husband.