December 10, 2004

THE COVER FROM THE TEMPEST

"A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest... as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isaiah 32:2, NKJV).

This descriptive portrait of Jesus portrays Him as the sure and secure shelter of His people. The picture is threefold: Jesus is our hiding place, our cover from the tempest, and the shadow of a mighty rock in a weary land.

In the early morning hours of August 24, 1992, Andrew, a category five hurricane packing sustained winds in excess of 140 mph, slammed into south Florida with savage fury. Andrew left wide-spread devastation, destruction, and death in its path. After the tempest had passed, my wife and I emerged from the safety of our home that had successfully withstood the wild fury of the tempest. Wherever we turned, we were greeted with indescribable devastation. It was at that moment that we could gratefully appreciate what it meant to have a secure hiding place in a hurricane.

In life's spiritual tempests, Jesus is our hiding place. He can firmly withstand the fierceness of our spiritual hurricanes. Under His divine protection we are safe and secure. The hymn writer reminds us that Jesus is "a shelter in the time of storm." However fierce the tempest, we are safe in Him who covers us with His righteousness. In Christ, our sure hiding place, we have a formidable bastion that no hurricane can destroy regardless of its intensity. He is a sure shelter in every storm. "As we realize the attacks of the enemy, we shall feel the need of fleeing to the stronghold, we shall learn to lean upon the Mighty One. He will be to us as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, as a covert from the tempest."--Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, December 1, 1892.

My Prayer Today: Precious "Hiding Place," under Your secure cover, I am safely sheltered. Thank You for being my cover from the tempest. Amen.