“SHELTER!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 484

July 14, 2020///

In the 1950’S the United States was in what is known as the “Cold War Era”.

The U.S. Civil Defense was preparing for the possibility of a “Nuclear Bomb Blast’ and the nuclear fallout from that.

I remember our elementary school had drills where we would line up in groups of five on the sidewalk and parents who had agreed to drive pulled their cars up and each line loaded into a car and was transported to a safe place.  The sirens would sound to initiate these “in case drills”.

I do not know how they knew the difference but when some sirens blared it was signaling a warning that there was no time for the evacuation, but we all got under our desk until the drill was over.

Another thing that was going on during those years was that people were building or having built what was called “Bomb Shelters” or “Fallout Shelters” in their yards!

My Dad was pastoring a small church and one of the ladies there was singing a song on a Sunday Night (yes, we had Sunday night service). She testified and I will never forget what she said.  She talked about it a bit, but the real content was that “Jesus was her fallout or bomb shelter!”

This memory came to me as I was considering all that is transpiring in our world and nation at this time. The pandemic is running wild, people are killing each other, and children are being hit by their bullets.

My cry to God was, “How do I effectively pray for this world, our nation our state and our families”!

I pray for my family and hold them close in my heart and the Holy Spirit reminded me that I cannot protect them but that He is their “Shelter”.  When we put our trust in Him, He is our “COVID-19 Shelter”, our “Evil Shelter”, and our Power!

He gives us authority over ever evil and will fight our battles!

Psalm 61:3 (KJV)
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Psalm 91:1-7 (KJV)
¹ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
³ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

What a promise!  The most high God is our refuge and our protector.

Those who are in authority and in the know about all of this cannot protect us!

We should do all we can as far as safety and hygiene, but we must walk boldly in the confidence that the Creator God is our refuge and strength!

We must pray for wisdom for our leaders, protection for our families, peace to prevail and this virus to be eradicated! And we must pray that with confidence that God sees all, He sees us, He knows our hearts and He is our SHELTER!

Proverbs 14:26 (KJV)
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Psalm 94:22 (KJV)
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 62:7-8 (KJV)
⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
⁸ Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

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Father, what a privilege to call you Father! In Jesus name I thank you that you are guiding your children during this unsettling time.  Show us the most effective way to pray and my we honor you by walking in Faith and Victory and shining the bright light of Love and Compassion to those in despair!  My we understand that we are in the world but no of it!  We are citizens of heaven and understand that we are created on purpose for a purpose and walk to fulfill all we were created to do! Amen!

Be secure in the Shelter of the most high.

Love, MeMaw