Craig Smith
Lord, You are my hiding place
The strength on which I stand
Your truth alone do I embrace
Not the wisdom of this land
You are the only resting place
From the perils of this sphere
Prince of Peace, the God of Grace
Keep me from the enemy's spear
Chorus
You are my fortress
Haven from the storm
Shield me with your faithfulness
Refuge of my soul
Though I'm in the midst of war
The enemy all around
If I gaze with the eyes of man
It seems I'm losing ground
But in the shadow of Your wings
A refuge I have found
A place where I find strengthening
And Your serenity abounds
Chorus
Concealed within Your shelter
In the troubled day
In Your secret place You hide me
You're my refuge
Chorus
The very nature of the world in its present condition, causestribulation (
Matt 16:33), but even in the midst of enemy confrontation,attack, and confusion, we are assured the Lord is in control and is ourplace of refuge. Psalm 91:1,4 "
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most
High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with Hispinions and under His wings you will seek refuge, His faithfulness is ashield and bulwark."--
Craig Smith" Thou art my hiding place; Thou doest preserve me from trouble." Psalm32:7"
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths ofjustice and H preserves the way of His godly ones." Proverbs 2:7,8"...the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strengthin times of trouble. And the Lord helps them and delivers them; Hedelivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refugein Him." Psalm 27:39-40
Several years ago, one of the worst tornadoes in our nation's historyswept a quarter-mile wide path of destruction, devastation, and deaththrough a town in the Southwest United States. The responses of thepeople in that sudden onslaught of nature's killing force areinteresting to observe. Many were caught completely unaware. Somewere warned, but ignored it. Some, seeing the approach of thethreatening cloud, panicked and scrambled about unprotected. Manywere unprepared, having no knowledge of what to do or where to hide inthe midst of catastrophe.
But there were others who were prepared, though not knowing the time orplace of the storm. They were aware that where they dwelled there wasthe potential of destructive tornadoes. They did not underestimate theability of the unleashed power of this world to kill, sweep theirpossessions away, and destroy everything in its path (
John 10:10). Thesepeople recognized the threat, obtained knowledge of what to do andwhere to seek protection, and remained ever alert to respond promptlyand with wisdom in the face of danger.
One group of people was at a bank when the tornado came on the horizonwith radios and sirens sounding the warnings. Choosing not to flee intheir automobiles, they entered the bank's vault and stepped outunharmed. The bank building was demolished. Automobiles wereoverturned. Everything unprotected was crushed, and those withoutsufficient cover were killed.
Now, how should we view the potentiality of catastrophic happenings inthis life that we live? Should we not have an expectation that it couldhappen? Should we not know that the Enemy of Gad, Satan, stalks aboutseeking to kill us, steal away what God has given us, and destroy ourlives? Then we must also know that the Word of God is wisdom andknowledge to those who will hear and receive His preparatory truth. Hehas given His Holy Spirit to dwell in us to sound the alarm and give usstrength. We can know beforehand of dangers and pitfalls. We can knowhow to respond in the face of threatening situations. We can know whatshields us and protects us. And, above all, we can know assuredly that
God the Father, Himself, is a stalwart Hiding Place; always close to us;desirous to preserve us; strong enough to save us; and faithful as a
Refuge for us.
All of this is not to bring us to a tense existence always waiting forthe brink of calamity. Rather, the Word of God makes us able to rest inthe assurance of the Father's complete provision for us: "...he wholistens to Me (
Wisdom) shall live securely and be at ease from the dreadof evil." (
Proverbs 1:33) Will you choose to enter His security and rest?
You must walk and live in the reality of your salvation through theblood of Jesus Christ, your spiritual sustenance through the indwellingpower of His Spirit, and your ever-present Refuge in the arms of theloving and eternal Father, God.A brief word to those who may have already suffered tragedy anddestruction when perhaps you were unknowing and unprepared. This same
God who is your Refuge is also a God of healing and restoration. Turn to
Him. Confess any sin of ignorance or rebellion to Him. Remove therubble of previous hurts by forgiving all who were involved (includingyourself). Allow God to rebuild your life. Like Paul, "...forgetting whatlies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead...press on toward thegoal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."(
Philippians 3:13,14) If this is your situation, you may pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father, remove the scales from my spiritual eyes that I mightsee the safety and security of Your Refuge for me. In Jesus' Name, Icast down all fear of the future, and I stand on the promises of Your
Word. Holy Spirit, teach me and give me understanding of my inheritancein Christ Jesus. Teach me of my Refuge. I will rest in Your Word. Amen.--
Steve Swift
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