DEVOTION/God gives us shelter
Living safely
When we go camping we enjoy spending some time with nature. But that can quickly change when the rain begins, or when we wake up face to face with a skunk. Then we’d much rather be inside our houses where we are safe and sheltered.
People have found shelter in many different places. Years ago people lived in caves and tents made of animal skins. Some lived in mud huts or sod houses. We know there are people today who live in houses made of ice, sticks, stones, and mud. However, most often they are made of wood, steel, concrete, and brick.
Houses and shelters are often mentioned in the Bible. Jonah made a hut for himself as he watched Nineveh. The Israelites lived in tents for 40 years while they wandered in the wilderness. Poor Job heard the terrible news that his sons and daughters were having a party in the oldest brother’s home when a strong wind swept in from the desert and blew the house over, killing all of them. Jesus even spoke a parable about building our houses (and our faith life) on a firm foundation.
God provides us shelter
The Bible says that although we have shelters to keep us safe and comfortable, we should not become too attached to them because he has a place planned for us that will be far better than our earthly home. It’s our home in heaven. Jesus said: My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:2,3). That house will be better than any we can imagine. It will be a safe shelter for us forever.
We can compare God to a place of shelter. Psalm 91:1 says: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Isaiah 25:4 puts it this way, You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. How blessed we are knowing God will always provide our bodies and souls with his divine protection!
by Reynold R. Kremer