It’s been almost one year since tornadoes ripped through neighborhoods hauntingly close to mine. The weathermen had warned April 27 would be bad, but until my own trees and fence blew down, I didn’t believe them.
By the end of the day, it was a war zone. Wind versus everything else. On the outside, it appeared wind had won.
But on the inside—for those hidden in shelters—there was safety.
Who is the enemy?
David knew wars. Enemies surrounded him. Yet he had the audacity to ask, “Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
Um, I could make a list, David. A long list.
And not just for him, but for me, too. I’m leery of new situations, confrontational people, even hints of danger. And that’s not even counting “evildoers assailing me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes” (Psalm 27:2).
So what do we do in times of danger, or perceived danger? In Alabama, many are buying tornado shelters. Our instinct is to protect ourselves from vulnerability.
But what did David ask?
David did one main thing. He asked the Lord, “Can I stay in Your presence?” (Psalm 27:4). There was safety. There was shelter.
In God’s presence, he could sing with joy, he could cry for guidance, he could learn His ways.
Can we be that dependent? Can we be vulnerable enough to stop striving after stronger fortresses, and instead trust the One already built for us?
Can we let go of trying to be more—if I pray more, study more, mop my kitchen floors more—and instead let God be more?
He didn’t tell us to build a spiritual storm shelter. He said He would hide us in His.
He didn’t say to bring our own tents. His can cover us just fine.
He didn’t even point toward a big rock and say climb up. He lifts us up and places us on top.
So what do we do?
Let’s start by repenting. Instead of wasting resources building our own walls of protection, let’s ask His forgiveness for our attempts at self-sufficiency. And become dependent instead.
Then let’s stand firmer in our faith. Can we let down our guard in a relationship that needs more authenticity? Perhaps we can try a new ministry, trusting He will lead us. Or maybe “waste” more time with Him, simply delighting in His presence.
If we want more peace, more rest, more confidence—and God to receive more glory—let’s live and love out of the home base of His shelter.
We don’t have to design it.
We don’t have to manufacture it.
We don’t even have to pay for it.
We just worship in it with joy. God is our shelter. Nowhere else can be safer.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5
Is it easy or hard for you to abandon self-sufficiency? In what areas do you most realize your dependency on the Lord?
Please share something that helped you this week from Psalm 27.
Ironically sometimes when I am flailing spiritually or emotionally and really have need of His mercy and grace, I harden my heart and go into robotic mode of self-sufficiency. It may take me awhile to overcome my pride and to fall on my knees crying out to my Savior and Shepherd. But of course He has always been right there lifting me, hiding me, covering me, sheltering me, loving me.
Perhaps it’s our natural instinct to self-preserve instead of throw ourselves on his grace. I want to learn to do the other more naturally instead. Slowly but surely, only by grace… Thanks for stopping by, Nancy.
This is amazing, isn’t it? “David did one main thing. He asked the Lord, “Can I stay in Your presence?” (Psalm 27:4). There was safety. There was shelter.”
And these questions, Lisa… these questions are ones I ask of myself too often: “Can we be that dependent? Can we be vulnerable enough to stop striving after stronger fortresses, and instead trust the One already built for us?
Can we let go of trying to be more—if I pray more, study more, mop my kitchen floors more—and instead let God be more?”
He has it all covered for us. That’s grace! Which is why I need not fear. For now, I have to constantly renew my heart to that, but what a truth it is to renew to.
Thanks for the great post, Lisa!
I’ve said it before, but I think we must be a lot alike, Caroline. I have to constantly remember too that his GRACE has got me covered, both over my sins and for my weaknesses. I’d love to get rid of fear now, but if not now, I know it is coming!
This is a daily struggle for me. I think the struggles, when we allow them to direct us to the mighty hand of God for His protection and provision, can be some of the best times in this life. David’s struggles we now find comfort in. God used them to teach generations of His children. If things push to God, they can’t be all bad… Wisdom is taking hold…
Good point, Floyd. Sometimes in the midst of the struggle, we feel like nothing good can come out of it. But if it’s calling us closer to God, there’s a beautiful thing right there.
And how sad to think we wouldn’t have all these great psalms if David hadn’t had struggles and cried out to the Lord!
I love that. The fear of man is “wasting resources building our own walls of protection.” Those walls will surely fall. There is only safety in my savior! Prov 29:25 says that the fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe. I feel like it is so hard to trust sometimes. The world has answers that seem so much more concrete and practical. God’s ways don’t always make sense. I am thankful that we have His word to encourage us to keep pressing in. His ways are higher than ours!
What a beautiful verse to bring here, Kim. Thanks for sharing Proverbs 29:25.
I agree with you that it’s intuitive to want to trust the concrete and visible, but yes, we need to keep looking at His Word to see with spiritual eyes.
I love 2 Corinthians 4:18 for that:
“as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
I’ve thought sometimes that this is one way spiritual growth is different from any other kind of growth. In every other way we grow more independent, but we only grow spiritually when we grow more dependent on Him. I don’t know why it is something that takes continual reminders instead of being a lesson that “sticks,” but thanks for the needed remider once again.
It is unusual, huh? Babies start out dependent and we want them to grow into independence. Yet spiritually, the Lord wants us to realize more and more how dependent we are upon Him. I’m so glad that He longs to take care of us.
Scary picture, but great post!
Yeah, it was a scary time. I was thankful my own neighborhood was spared that kind of damage, but I felt really bad for the families that were totally displaced and lost loved ones. :-(
What a refreshing reminder that God is our refuge and help in times of trouble! When trouble comes my way, and anxious thoughts creep in, the best way I’ve found to take those thoughts captive and run to the safety of God is by first starting my prayer acknowledging His greatness. For instance, “Lord, You spoke the universe into existence. You measure the earth’s water in the palm of Your hand. (Isa. 40:12) Just as you opened up the Red Sea to deliver Your people, You can make a way when none exists…” By taking the time to first focus on God’s greatness, i’ve found by the time I get around to praying for my problem, I feel much more at peace about my situation than I would have had I skipped this, and simply launched right into my problem.
That is beautiful, Brooke. When we see how big God is, it puts our own problems into perspective.
This is great advice and I’m taking it! Thank you!
Thank your both for your kind words. It’s so comforting to see my problems through God’s perspective, and in light of who He is. Brindi glad this blessed you. God is so good! :)
Last December I graduated with my Master’s degree in Children’s Librarianship, and since, I have been seeking employment. I thought I would have 6 months before the student loan bills arrived; however, I opened my first two yesterday. (It hasn’t even been 2 months!) Panic, worry and stress immediately ensued, along with some tears. There’s no way I can afford these bills in my current financial state.
My husband tried to encourage me that it would be OK and we’d get through it. But it wasn’t until later that night, in my bed after all of the crying, that I gave it to God. I prayed for guidance and wisdom on what to do. I told Him I would not fear my financial state nor these loans. He keeps me safe and will provide. I will not be afraid.
Brindi, your choice to trust God with your finances is such a great example of faith. Reminds me of the tree in Jeremiah 17:7-8. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
This is a link to a post I recently wrote on my blog called “Why is God allowing this? I really think you’d be encouraged and strengthened by the verses and their promises in light of your student loans coming sooner than expected. God bless you! (Philippians 4:19)
http://www.brookeespinoza.blogspot.com/2012/01/why-is-god-allowing-this.html
Brindi,
I agree with Brooke that you are exhibiting faith by consciously making the choice to trust God’s provision. I will be praying that He will show you sooner rather than later how He will provide for you through this. And that you will make the choice as often as necessary to not be afraid. It has to be a daily thing with me. Blessings to you!
I didn’t get into Psalm 27 as much as I would have liked this past week. Thank you for sharing this Lisa. Your words paint a clearer picture for me of what it means to be in His presence and shelter and safety.
We all have those kind of weeks, Joyce. That makes the beauty of community even more special–we can glean from what others are getting when our own time has been limited. I’m thankful we never have to walk alone!