God shelters us when we face life’s struggles.

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One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
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 27:4-5 English Standard Version

Eugene, Oregon
Copyright Douglas P Brauner

What did you first see when you glanced at this picture? You probably saw a lot of yellow reflected from the blurred background. But did you see the bee hanging out in middle of the flower? This bee is pretty well hidden? The only reason I knew this bee was active was because I followed it from flower to flower.

How often have we wished that we might blend in to our setting? How often have desired to be invisible because of the depth of pain we’re suffering? All we want is shelter from the droughts of life. We crave for a place where we can hide, a place where nobody can reach us.

King David wrote many psalms in times when he was hunted, persecuted and oppressed by others. At times his enemies were relentless in their pursuit. They wanted him dead. Later in this psalm David pleads with God, “Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.” (Psalm 27:12 ESV)

Have you been at this place in your life? Are you there now? David found refuge in God. He knew that God would conceal him “under the cover of his tent.”

Though David understood that God would protect him, his struggles didn’t disappear. In fact, his battles lasted his lifetime, yet he held on to the one who first took hold of him. In his God he found refuge.

In your redeeming God you, too, will find refuge. Jesus Christ is your guarantee.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner