“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5 NIV)
I recently watched the animated movie “Open Season”. The plot centers around a forest ranger who rescues and raises a young bear cub. After reaching adult size, it becomes necessary for him to return to the wild. Unfortunately, that time is a few days before hunting season begins. She loves him very much; her primary concern is his safety. Taking him by helicopter to a safe place high in the mountains, she gently places him next to a large rock.
As I watched the movie, I was amazed at what a beautiful allegory this was for how God takes care of us!
In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was built as a place where God and man could meet; it was God’s dwelling place on earth.
God has promised to keep us safe in “His dwelling”! There is not a safer place to be in all the universe! The Psalmist was promised that God “will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” That promise is for us too; we are safe in the shelter of God. Since New Testament times, our shelter is His indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Our day of trouble can be many things, including being ill and in pain. Our bodies may not be well, however, God puts you and me in a high place where who we really are --- our core selves, our God-breathed being --- cannot be harmed.
The imagery is strong; by setting us high on a rock, nothing can harm us. We need to ask Him to put us there, to keep us safe. We are “hidden” by God Himself! We will be able to deal with all that is in our lives because we asked Him for help and because He always keeps His promises.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your promises. I pray we will turn to You and ask to be hidden in the shelter of Your tabernacle, for there we will find safety. AMEN.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Priscilla Ervin lives in Arlington, Texas with fibromyalgia and chronic Epstein Barr, along with other health issues. She can see where God has sheltered her when she looks back at her life, and knows He keeps His promises!
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