"Refuge"

The thunder rolled and lightning flashed,

And winds blew strong and fierce,

The kind of night the bravest heart,

A bolt of fear might pierce.

The water fell in mighty sheets,

Sideways watch it go,

I tried hard to outrun it,

But I was just too slow.

Under trees I found a path,

Winding upward to a cave,

Just big enough for Dan and me,

It’s shelter to us gave.

And there we waited through the night,

For the raging storm to leave,

And long about the daylight,

The weather gave reprieve.

I saddled Dan and led him out,

And saw to my surprise,

That cave was in a precipice,

And right before my eyes,

A thousand feet or more went down,

A mountainside so steep,

That if we’d wandered farther,

No way our lives we’d keep.

I prayed and thanked the Good Lord,

For saving us in time,

For giving us safe shelter,

And not a tragic climb.

And then I thought I’m thankful,

God’s there with every threat,

And He has been my refuge,

And never failed me yet.

Covered by His feathers,

And safe beneath His wings,

His faithfulness, dependable,

And all His grace He brings.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)

Life has unavoidable storms. It’s not if, but when they happen. The question becomes how do we cope? The answer: the Lord is our refuge. He provides a relationship of safety for us. He gives us His peace. He teaches us how to trust Him, and He protects us from the pitfalls of life. Believe it.

Lord, be our refuge, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Teal Blake, used by permission. Thanks, Teal, and God bless you.