It was our first camping trip as a family in Canada. You’d think it would be easier than camping in Africa, right? We were with two other families, enjoying the adventure of exploring rocky beaches, discovering zebra mussels, and experiencing the Viking festival. As the sun set in the distance, we sat by the campfire while the kids played with glow sticks in the open area. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Without cell service, we couldn’t track the storm, but it felt pretty far off—until the campground director pulled up on a four-wheeler to deliver an in-person news update: we were currently under a tornado warning.
He drove off to inform the other campsites, and we debated what to do next. We didn’t feel the need to pack up and drive 30 kilometers to the next town this late at night, confident we could weather the storm.
As we finished roasting s’mores, the wind suddenly picked up—signaling the storm had arrived. We gathered the kids while the men secured the camper awnings to prevent them from breaking. We were staying in a tent, so, grabbing the kids' hands and pushing the stroller, we ran through the darkness to our tent. By then, the rain was pouring down, and the edges of the tent were beginning to fill with water. We quickly hopped into our SUV, drenched and breathing hard.
We sighed with relief. We’d found refuge—protection from the elements, at least for now. We drove to park next to the concrete bathrooms just in case and put on a Paw Patrol DVD as the kids drifted off to sleep.
When We Face Trouble
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:7)
When storms strike, we seek shelter. Whether it’s a strained relationship, a health problem, or changing circumstances, we often find ourselves struggling through the elements, trying to find our way.
I remember facing bad news: an emergency ambulance transfer with my six-month-old to the children's hospital, the immunologist delivering blood results that "weren't good," or standing in our mud hut in Africa, hearing from our parents about a deadly car accident.
Nahum wrote these words to Israel, encouraging them amidst the terror inflicted by the Assyrians. The Lord would remain their refuge; He would be faithful and act powerfully to bring justice in His perfect timing.
It takes immense vulnerability to trust in God’s goodness when we’re wrestling with tough times. Instead of getting stuck trying to solve it all ourselves, we can turn to the comfort of God and trust the shelter He provides. In Psalm 112:7, the psalmist declares that he will not fear when bad news comes, for his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
When we face trouble, can we trust God’s goodness and His promise of shelter?
We Find Protection
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:4)
When we seek shelter from the storm, we’re protected from the elements.
The psalmist describes the Lord’s protection as being like chicks hiding beneath a mother hen’s wings. When a hawk circles above, searching for prey, the little chicks running around the yard become perfect targets. But the mother hen calls to them in the face of danger, and they scurry toward her, huddling together beneath the safety of her wings.
This image appears elsewhere in scripture. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, expressing His longing to gather the nations "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!" If we try to solve our problems or face trouble on our own strength, we will find discouragement in our humanity. But when we run toward the safety of His presence and promises in the midst of our trouble, His faithfulness will guard us like a shield.
In the troubles you’re facing, how can you run toward Christ for protection?
And Are Blessed
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8)
Consider the scene in The Lord of the Rings when the people of Rohan flee to Helm's Deep. As they arrive within the towering stone walls, they cry out in relief, finding security in this fortress designed for refuge.
Similarly, when we run toward the Lord in our troubles and find rest in the protection He provides, we experience that same sweet relief in His goodness and faithfulness. This is the blessing.
We are blessed first by the riches of God's grace in our redemption and forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7-10), for it is only by grace that we can run to Him. We are blessed because of the promise of our inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11-12) and because He provides us with spiritual blessings that surpass anything on earth (Ephesians 1:3).
How have you seen blessings when you've turned to God as your refuge?
In the midst of life’s storms, we often find ourselves searching for shelter, for a place of refuge where we can be safe from the turmoil around us. Whether it’s the literal storms we face or the spiritual and emotional challenges that shake us to our core, God invites us to seek Him as our stronghold. He is our protector, offering the comfort of His presence and the assurance of His promises. As we run to Him in times of trouble, we discover not only His protection but also the profound blessing of His grace, goodness, and unfailing love. Just as we found refuge in the walls of our SUV in a storm, we find our ultimate security in the Lord, who shelters us under His wings and blesses us abundantly.
May we always turn to Him, trusting in His goodness and finding peace in His everlasting care.
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