Shelter in Place

Art and writing by Rachel Dube

Psalm 46 (ESV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Right now we live in a world in turmoil. Listen. You can almost hear the ground beginning to rumble. The feet of many are unsteady on this earth that is shifting, subtly at first and becoming more perceptible at an ever-quickening rate. The hearts of many are struck with fear at the darkening sky as the storm clouds of injustice, corruption, hatred, and fear gather and loom over us. The wind is picking up. The first large drops of threatening rain and the first distant flashes of lightning warn us to take shelter. Many are already in the midst of a great storm, whether it be of grief, physical or emotional suffering, persecution, difficult decisions, or the many other pressures and burdens of this life that cloud our vision, arrest our movement, threaten our safety, paralyze us with fear, and shock us with the frailty of our frame.

We need to find shelter or we will not survive. But where? Where can we find shelter when the very ground on which we stand gives way without warning? What heights can we run to if the steadfast mountains are moved into the depths of the ocean and their topmost peaks tremble at the swelling of the swallowing sea? What fortress is secure?

Enter the fortress right where you are. “Shelter in place.” Wherever you are, if you are the Lord’s, then your shelter is there. There is no need to cower, no need to run and hide. The only rock that cannot be moved is the Lord. (Psalm 62:6) The God of Jacob is your fortress. The Lord of Hosts is with you.

The devil, your enemy, wants you to be afraid and overwhelmed, clamoring for shelter. But as the wind violently whips your hair around your face, as the shards of rain sting your skin, as you witness the giant mountains overtaken by the depths of the angry ocean and the foundations devoured by the heart of the earth, lift your head and open your eyes to see what is around you. Not the distress. Look closer. The everlasting arms of the Lord surround you. You are being held by them and in them is your dwelling place. (Deuteronomy 33:27) You are not helpless or hopeless or alone. In those arms is your refuge and your strength. He is in the midst of you because you are His. You shall not be moved. When the battle begins at the first light of dawn, your mighty God will be there. So, be still. Not when the disaster ends. Be still now. Our identity and our destiny in Him are secure. We are victors now. Your future in heaven is a fulfillment of who you are today. Be in the Word and in prayer so that you are able to see things as they truly are, and fear will lose its power over you.