
Psalm 46:1 NIV
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
The snowstorms and freezing temperatures in February of this year, caused me to think about how blessed most of us truly are. When the polar vortex combined with huge amounts of snow, the conditions became miserable and deadly across a great portion of our Country.
As I thought about how blessed we are, I then thought about all of the homeless people who live under bridges and in alleys. How would they be able to cope with wind chill temperatures of -20 degrees? Not just for one night, but for a week or more?



We have a place to shelter from the storm and elements. We have a roof over our heads and heat to warm us.
These poor souls do not, except for the fortunate ones who have compassionate people who open buildings and shelters for them to stay in.
In fact, it is even difficult to imagine their misery. Trying to imagine what they go through should stir our hearts, in prayer, love and compassion.
If you have a home with heat to shelter in, be thankful to God. Even if it is not the home you want, be thankful for what you have, because so many do not have this shelter or refuge.
Moving from the storms of nature, many people are also suffering from the storms of everyday life. Many feel alone and without help as they fight their demons and trials.
The great news is that we also have shelter from the storms of life that come our way, if we have been reconciled with God through His Son Jesus Christ. All it takes is a truly repentant heart and to ask God for his forgiveness, mercy and grace as you ask Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior. Then you will find and know the refuge that the Psalmist is talking about in the following verse.
Psalm 46:1 NIV
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
To quote two great gospel songs, when the storms of life rage, "we are sheltered in the arms of God, until the storm passes by."
God does not forsake His children and He never forgets us. He knows what storms or trials are hammering us and what we are going through. Whatever our need, His grace is always sufficient to meet our needs. He is our refuge from the storms. He is our strength.
In closing, as we think about the dangerous snowstorms and temperatures that nature has thrown our way, let us be thankful for our homes in which we shelter from the danger. Let us also remember to pray for those who are much less fortunate, that they might find some sort of shelter and their misery be lessened.
Let us also thank God for the safety and shelter we find in Him, as His children.
Per the great Dottie Rambo song, we truly are "Sheltered In The Arms of God."

RVH