Craig Smith



Lord, You are my hiding place

The strength on which I stand

Your truth alone do I embrace

Not the wisdom of this land

You are the only resting place

From the perils of this sphere

Prince of Peace, the God of Grace

Keep me from the enemy's spear



Chorus

You are my fortress

Haven from the storm

Shield me with your faithfulness

Refuge of my soul



Though I'm in the midst of war

The enemy all around

If I gaze with the eyes of man

It seems I'm losing ground

But in the shadow of Your wings

A refuge I have found

A place where I find strengthening

And Your serenity abounds



Chorus



Concealed within Your shelter

In the troubled day

In Your secret place You hide me

You're my refuge



Chorus



The very nature of the world in its present condition, causes

tribulation (Matt 16:33), but even in the midst of enemy confrontation,

attack, and confusion, we are assured the Lord is in control and is our

place of refuge. Psalm 91:1,4 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most

High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with His

pinions and under His wings you will seek refuge, His faithfulness is a

shield and bulwark."--Craig Smith



" Thou art my hiding place; Thou doest preserve me from trouble." Psalm

32:7



"He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of

justice and H preserves the way of His godly ones." Proverbs 2:7,8



"...the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength

in times of trouble. And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He

delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge

in Him." Psalm 27:39-40



Several years ago, one of the worst tornadoes in our nation's history

swept a quarter-mile wide path of destruction, devastation, and death

through a town in the Southwest United States. The responses of the

people in that sudden onslaught of nature's killing force are

interesting to observe. Many were caught completely unaware. Some

were warned, but ignored it. Some, seeing the approach of the

threatening cloud, panicked and scrambled about unprotected. Many

were unprepared, having no knowledge of what to do or where to hide in

the midst of catastrophe.



But there were others who were prepared, though not knowing the time or

place of the storm. They were aware that where they dwelled there was

the potential of destructive tornadoes. They did not underestimate the

ability of the unleashed power of this world to kill, sweep their

possessions away, and destroy everything in its path (John 10:10). These

people recognized the threat, obtained knowledge of what to do and

where to seek protection, and remained ever alert to respond promptly

and with wisdom in the face of danger.



One group of people was at a bank when the tornado came on the horizon

with radios and sirens sounding the warnings. Choosing not to flee in

their automobiles, they entered the bank's vault and stepped out

unharmed. The bank building was demolished. Automobiles were

overturned. Everything unprotected was crushed, and those without

sufficient cover were killed.



Now, how should we view the potentiality of catastrophic happenings in

this life that we live? Should we not have an expectation that it could

happen? Should we not know that the Enemy of Gad, Satan, stalks about

seeking to kill us, steal away what God has given us, and destroy our

lives? Then we must also know that the Word of God is wisdom and

knowledge to those who will hear and receive His preparatory truth. He

has given His Holy Spirit to dwell in us to sound the alarm and give us

strength. We can know beforehand of dangers and pitfalls. We can know

how to respond in the face of threatening situations. We can know what

shields us and protects us. And, above all, we can know assuredly that

God the Father, Himself, is a stalwart Hiding Place; always close to us;

desirous to preserve us; strong enough to save us; and faithful as a

Refuge for us.



All of this is not to bring us to a tense existence always waiting for

the brink of calamity. Rather, the Word of God makes us able to rest in

the assurance of the Father's complete provision for us: "...he who

listens to Me (Wisdom) shall live securely and be at ease from the dread

of evil." (Proverbs 1:33) Will you choose to enter His security and rest?

You must walk and live in the reality of your salvation through the

blood of Jesus Christ, your spiritual sustenance through the indwelling

power of His Spirit, and your ever-present Refuge in the arms of the

loving and eternal Father, God.



A brief word to those who may have already suffered tragedy and

destruction when perhaps you were unknowing and unprepared. This same

God who is your Refuge is also a God of healing and restoration. Turn to

Him. Confess any sin of ignorance or rebellion to Him. Remove the

rubble of previous hurts by forgiving all who were involved (including

yourself). Allow God to rebuild your life. Like Paul, "...forgetting what

lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead...press on toward the

goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 3:13,14) If this is your situation, you may pray this prayer:



Heavenly Father, remove the scales from my spiritual eyes that I might

see the safety and security of Your Refuge for me. In Jesus' Name, I

cast down all fear of the future, and I stand on the promises of Your

Word. Holy Spirit, teach me and give me understanding of my inheritance

in Christ Jesus. Teach me of my Refuge. I will rest in Your Word. Amen.--

Steve Swift