Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:1-2 “Whoever 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 will trust.'”

As I was walking the streets of Metz in Northern France, I was intrigued to see this giant arrow painted on the side of this building! If it had been 1944, German bombs may have been dropping and this arrow would have directed me to a shelter. In fact, thousands of home owners were mandated by the city government to open their garage/cellars to any passerby caught outside during a raid. Today, close to 100 of these arrows still exist, serving as a silent reminder of those desperate rushes for shelter.

Today’s verse pictures God, the Almighty One, as a shelter. He is the Most High with nothing and no one higher and more powerful than He is. His very presence is a place of refuge and protection. We are not told we will be removed from the conflict or storm. But we are promised that when we run to Him, He will shield us and be our security. It is as if He is our buffer, lessening the impact of what we are experiencing. In that place of total trust, He gives a peace that defies understanding! (Phil. 4:7)

In those intense moments of fear and anxiety, I need something as obvious as that huge arrow! Rather than running around in circles I need to run to Him. His arms are open and ready to comfort and protect. He doesn’t ask me to come to Him when I have calmed down first. He doesn’t reprimand me when I come to Him in a panic. He doesn’t wait until I have my act together first. He is ready and willing to give me the reassurance of His power. It is in the shelter of His presence that I calm down and my breathing slows.

Thank you Lord, for rewarding my trust in You.