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, causes
tribulation (Matt 16:33), but even in the midst of enemy confrontation,
attack, and confusion, we are assured the Lord is in control and is our
place 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 His
pinions and under His wings you will seek refuge, His faithfulness is a
shield and bulwark."--Craig Smith
" Thou art my hiding place; Thou doest preserve me from trouble." Psalm
32:7
"He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of
justice 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 strength
in times of trouble. And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He
delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge
in Him." Psalm 27:39-40
Several years ago, one of the worst tornadoes in our nation's history
swept a quarter-mile wide path of destruction, devastation, and death
through a town in the Southwest United States. The responses of the
people in that sudden onslaught of nature's killing force are
interesting to observe. Many were caught completely unaware. Some
were warned, but ignored it. Some, seeing the approach of the
threatening cloud, panicked and scrambled about unprotected. Many
were unprepared, having no knowledge of what to do or where to hide in
the midst of catastrophe.
But there were others who were prepared, though not knowing the time or
place of the storm. They were aware that where they dwelled there was
the potential of destructive tornadoes. They did not underestimate the
ability of the unleashed power of this world to kill, sweep their
possessions away, and destroy everything in its path (John 10:10). These
people recognized the threat, obtained knowledge of what to do and
where to seek protection, and remained ever alert to respond promptly
and with wisdom in the face of danger.
One group of people was at a bank when the tornado came on the horizon
with radios and sirens sounding the warnings. Choosing not to flee in
their automobiles, they entered the bank's vault and stepped out
unharmed. The bank building was demolished. Automobiles were
overturned. Everything unprotected was crushed, and those without
sufficient cover were killed.
Now, how should we view the potentiality of catastrophic happenings in
this life that we live? Should we not have an expectation that it could
happen? Should we not know that the Enemy of Gad, Satan, stalks about
seeking to kill us, steal away what God has given us, and destroy our
lives? Then we must also know that the Word of God is wisdom and
knowledge to those who will hear and receive His preparatory truth. He
has given His Holy Spirit to dwell in us to sound the alarm and give us
strength. We can know beforehand of dangers and pitfalls. We can know
how to respond in the face of threatening situations. We can know what
shields 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 for
the brink of calamity. Rather, the Word of God makes us able to rest in
the assurance of the Father's complete provision for us: "...he who
listens to Me (Wisdom) shall live securely and be at ease from the dread
of 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 the
blood of Jesus Christ, your spiritual sustenance through the indwelling
power of His Spirit, and your ever-present Refuge in the arms of the
loving and eternal Father, God.
A brief word to those who may have already suffered tragedy and
destruction 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 the
rubble of previous hurts by forgiving all who were involved (including
yourself). Allow God to rebuild your life. Like Paul, "...forgetting what
lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead...press on toward the
goal 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 might
see the safety and security of Your Refuge for me. In Jesus' Name, I
cast 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 inheritance
in Christ Jesus. Teach me of my Refuge. I will rest in Your Word. Amen.--
Steve Swift
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