God Has Not Forgotten You: When Life Is Turned Upside DownSample

A Constant Place of Refuge

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of thousands of Gulf Coast residents found themselves taking refuge in shelters all over the United States. Three weeks later, Hurricane Rita cut a new path of destruction through the Gulf Coast, forcing those who found refuge in Houston and other areas near the coast to participate in yet another evacuation. Then on the heels of Rita came wildfires in Southern California, an earthquake in Pakistan, and mudslides in Guatemala, displacing even more families. 2005 was a year of tragedy and devastation.

If you are facing devastating circumstances or any kind of loss and are deeply afraid of what could happen, you may feel like running for shelter…a place to hide.

There is a place where anyone facing tragedy can go—a place that provides our spirits with never-ending shelter from danger and offers powerful strength to weather any trial life may bring our way. That place is in God. In Psalm 32:7, David said this of God: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

Though life is sometimes difficult and painful, when we take shelter in Him, His help is always ready and has been proven time and time again. In Psalm 62:7-8 (TLB), David wrote, “He is my refuge, a Rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for he can help!” Like David, you can take shelter in His protective presence. There you will find peace for today, strength for tomorrow, and hope for a brighter future.

Taking back your life

1. In Psalm 57:1-2, David prayed, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” How can you use or apply this prayer to your circumstances today?
2. How does it feel to know that you can find permanent shelter in God, where everything you need (peace, joy, strength, protection, hope, etc.) is provided?
3. Read Isaiah 43:19 and Philippians 4:19. What encouragement can you find in these Scriptures if you are facing the loss of your home, job, or business?