“I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death encompassed me;
the torrents of destruction assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears…
He bowed the heavens and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.
He rode on a cherub and flew;
he came swiftly on the wings of the wind…
He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me…
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?” Psalm 18:1-6,9-10,16-19,30-31
“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…
The Lord of hosts is with us;
God is our fortress.” Psalm 46:1-3,11
David knew a bounteous share of distress over the seasons of his life, and concurrently knew more and more of his God. From early bold confidence, he grew into a man after God’s heart. The greater the onslaught of trouble, the deeper the waves of regret, fear, and grief, the closer he pressed to the Lord. With every deluge he took refuge in his Rock, Fortress, and Shield. (1 Samuel 17:40-50; Acts 13:22)
Do we? Unless we are trained to think on the goodness of God and practiced in continual communion with Him, we will not reflexively cry out to Him when the flood of trouble comes. The sudden terror, the dreaded call or diagnosis, the shocking loss will consume, and pound at our foundation, unsettling balance, unnerving emotions. Hope gets smothered, confidence wanes, and we find ourselves bereft and shaken.
But God is worthy to be praised! He hears our cries! Who is a rock, except our God? The Lord of hosts is with us! He is on our side! He is surprised by nothing, rather, actively working all things for our good and sanctification! (Romans 8:28-34)
So where will we hide? How can we develop a steady mindset fixed on Christ, so when the storms blow in we are stable, not stumbling or drowned? What promises will we commit to memory and hide in our hearts, so we can stand firmly on the Rock that is Christ? How have past and recent difficulties proven God’s character and nearness? We cannot avoid storms, but we can face them with assuredness and hope by looking God-ward and taking refuge in Him. (Psalm 119:11,89; Isaiah 43:1-4; 2 Corinthians 1:20)
Father, in every deluge, hide me in Your shelter, and be glorified.
As the rain and snow 