Taking Cover

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.” - Psalm 73:28

Here in the southeastern United States, we have an active tornado season each year. It is not uncommon during that time of year to hear the storm sirens sound as a warning to go to a safe place until the tornado passes. Tornados are ferocious storms that can destroy anything in their paths in seconds. The best protection is a basement or an interior room with no windows. Schools have tornado drills to train children in what to do when a storm comes. In areas where tornados are prevalent, it is best to know what to do, because eventually a storm will come.

It would be foolish, when the tornado sirens sounded, to stand around and ask, “Why is a storm coming? This isn’t fair! Why is this happening to us?” But this is exactly what many people do when bad things happen in their lives. Instead of expecting the storms of life and being prepared, we waste precious time and energy seeking answers that we may never get.

In Psalm 73, the psalmist is recounting the storms of his life. And at the end of this psalm, there is this gem of a verse…verse 28. He says it is good to be near God. Because of life’s storms, he has learned to make God his refuge…his safe place. When hard times came, he knew where to go. He ran to the Sovereign LORD. It is no coincidence that he calls God sovereign in this passage. Sovereign means that God is in control of all things, even the bad things, that happen on this earth. He is Lord over all.

Have you made the Sovereign LORD your refuge? Do you know where to run in times of trouble? There is only one truly safe place…and that is beneath the wings of God Almighty. It is good to be near Him. Could it be that this is why He allows bad things to happen…to bring us nearer to Him?

Sovereign LORD, I thank You that You are in control of all my circumstances. I take comfort in the truth that nothing surprises You. Please use the storms in my life to draw me nearer to Your heart, so that I may know You more. Thank You for Your protection. Help me to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, amen.