Where Do You Find Shelter?
Thanks for joining the Need-Hope.com podcast. In this episode, we hear a story about God's shelter as I came face to face with a real live serpent. You can listen to this podcast episode by clicking: Where Do You Find Shelter?
Where Do You Find Shelter?
Thanks for joining me at Need Hope. I’m Chris Gray. And I’m so glad you’re here.
Where do you find hope?
In a moment, I’d like to share with you a story when I came face to face with a real live serpent.
Stay tuned. Intro Music
First, let’s listen to a Bible passage that tells of God’s protection for the person who dwells in the shelter of the Most High. This is Psalm 91, Verses 9-16. I pray God speaks to our hearts.
If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves Me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
Notice in that passage how God promises constant protection for those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High. These people trust the Lord and depend on His help each and every day.
Friend, we’ve all had moments in our lives when God protected us. I’d like to share with you one of those moments.
It was a hot Dallas summer. I was working hard, pulling weeds in our front yard. At some point, I realized the trash bag was full. Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I walked to the backyard and dropped it in our trash pile.
I turned to walk back to the front yard but had this odd notion to veer to the right, towards our neighbor’s house. The thought occurred to me that maybe God wanted me to walk this path for some reason. But I wasn’t sure because I didn’t hear an audible voice. So I started walking to the right, making a big C curve to the front yard.
Well, friend, let me tell you, as I walked this path, I looked over to my left—where I should’ve been walking—and spotted a huge 4-foot snake. Its head was straight up above its body. And it didn’t look happy.
As I jumped farther away from the snake, there was no question in my mind God had been directing my steps. Otherwise, I would’ve taken the shorter route and stepped right on the snake. Surely, I would’ve been bitten.
All I could say was PRAISE THE LORD!
At that time, Psalm 91, the same one I just read to you, ran through my mind. Why? Because I had just memorized it.
I raced over to tell my husband the story. He was brushing our dog Rudi. He came and saw the snake, which looked like a statue. It wasn’t moving. He went to grab a shovel, but by the time he came back, it was gone.
That day, I have to tell you God showed me how He—or maybe it was His angels instructed me to move away from danger. I’m so glad I obeyed. God protected me.
God has also protected you from danger. I wonder how many times? We can’t know the answer. We can only know His protection is available to us.
Make no mistake about it, God allows difficulties in our lives. Jesus tells us not to be surprised when we go through trials. However, Jesus provides a perfect calm in the midst of any raging storm.
He protected me from that big snake. And He is able to protect and see you through any trials you encounter.
Friend, let me ask you: Where do you run for shelter in troubling times? Do you run to another person or your pet? Do you isolate? Do you keep busy playing games? Or look at social media? Do you watch TV? Or view pornography? Is it drugs or alcohol or even cigarettes or food?
Where is your shelter? Can you honestly say that shelter is protecting you?
Before I summarize, let me say, Jesus loves you and wants you to run to Him for shelter. He is gently knocking at the door of your heart, softly calling you to come to Him. He wants you as you are, with all your troubles, concerns, and struggles. And Jesus has already provided protection from the punishment we deserve for our sin. How has He provided that protection? He died on the cross so we can be forgiven. And then, proving He is God, Jesus rose from the grave.
Have you opened your heart’s door, inviting Jesus in, as your Lord and Savior? If you haven’t already, you can do this at any time. I hope you won’t wait.
There’s more information on this good news at our website, Need-Hope.com.
In summary, Psalm 91 tells of a person who finds shelter in a close, dependent relationship with Jesus Christ. In Him, they find protection and rest—no matter what.
Jesus is the Shelter of the Most High!
Where do you find shelter in life?
Think about it. Pray about it.
Until next time, Look to Jesus.
And look to God’s Word for guaranteed hope.
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Scripture is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.