A Shelter in the Time of Storm

O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

I had a very vivid dream last night in which I was in the middle of a tornado. I was at a camp, hunkered down under a table in the dining hall, when a huge tree crashed through the window. In my dream, I actually saw the tree come flying through the air and then torpedo through the building. (I said it was vivid!) In any case, I woke up singing this old hymn and have been thinking about it all day.

As this hymn says, in Jesus Christ we can be secure no matter what we’re facing. He is a Rock in our weary land, our shelter in our stormy times. Indeed, the prophet Isaiah foretold that Jesus was coming for that reason: to be a refuge and a shelter from the storm.

Behold, a king will reign righteously and princes will rule justly. Each will be like a refuge from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. Isaiah 32:1-2

When you’re safe in a shelter, you don’t leave in the middle of a storm. Although the storm rages around you, you’re safe there, and you want to stay. When you dwell in the shelter of the Lord, you abide in His shadow. His shadow means His care and protection.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91:1-3

This hymn was said to be a favorite song of the fishermen on the north coast of England, who were often heard singing it as they approached their harbors in the time of storm. Whatever you are facing today, whether your storms are from the weather, from relationships, or from circumstances, you can be sure that Jesus will be your Rock in this weary land. Run to Him, and let Him be your shelter today.

But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. Psalm 5:11

A Shelter in the Time of Storm
Vernon J. Charlesworth

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.