A Refuge in the Storm

By: Melanie Moore

"It's only 6:13?" my son asked in surprise. "It looks like it should be about 8:00 at night!"

As I looked around my house, I noticed how dark it had become even though it was still early evening. All day we had been alerted that strong storms were moving our way, even carrying the scary possibility of a tornado. I had checked the weather radar periodically throughout the day, and we had even altered our afternoon plans in anticipation of the strong storms on the move.

"It looks like the storm is finally here", I told him just as the winds outside picked up. The trees swayed in the heavy winds, and the torrential rain pounded on our roof. I checked the weather radar again, preparing to go with my sons into the basement if needed, for safety.

I whispered a prayer to God to keep us all safe, and it reminded me of one of my favorite Psalms. 

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 

Psalm 57:1–3

I once heard someone say that each of us face storms in our lives, none of us are immune. They said that either we are coming out of a storm, in the middle of a storm, or heading into a storm. At the time, I thought this couldn't be true, right? Now, though, I think there is quite a bit of wisdom in both expecting storms to come into my life, and in honoring those around me with gentleness and compassion in case they are fighting a storm as well.

Seek Refuge in God

If you are facing a storm today, I want to encourage you with these verses. Look to God in the midst of your storm as your refuge. Seek shelter in the shadow of His wings until the storms you are facing pass by. Isn't that a beautiful image of a mother bird protecting her young? 

Trust God's Purpose

I know I have read these verses many times, but the following phrase caught my breath as I read it last week: "I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.'" Isn't that beautiful? God is fulfilling His purpose in our lives, and even though it might be difficult to see during the storms we face, we have to trust God's purpose and that He is the one fulfilling it in our lives.

Embrace His Steadfast Love and Faithfulness

No matter what I have been through in the past, what I am going through now, or what I will go through in the future, I know this one thing: God does not change. He will send His steadfast love and faithfulness to me in any and all circumstances. 

Will you embrace His steadfast love and faithfulness today?