A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM

          Raging forest fires, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and violent storms ... we have certainly recently seen the devastation caused by weather around the world.  People have lost their lives and their homes and possessions and have had to seek shelter and protection from these natural events.  It is so sad to watch these folks struggle against these elements and their results.  But there are many of us today who don't make the headlines as we also struggle for shelter in the onslaught of our personal storms whether they be physical, financial, job related, family related or emotional battles.  These storms happen to all of us in varying degrees throughout our life and we need a rock, a shelter, a defense to depend upon in these weary, troubling times.  The Psalmist, like us, faced these storms himself and his writings have been a comfort to many of us over the years.  "To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock" (Ps. 28:1). "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Ps. 18:2). "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved …. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" (Ps. 62:2, 7). "The LORD has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge" (Ps. 94:22).  Vernon J. Charlesworth (1838 - 1915) was a British pastor who later became administrator of Charles Spurgeon's orphanage.  He wrote the words to this week's hymn choice in 1880 based on Psalms 32:7, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Someone then set his words to music. Ira D. Sankey later composed the familiar tune to the hymn. According to his account, "I found this hymn in a small paper published in London, called "The Postman." It was said to be a favorite song of the fishermen on the north coast of England, and they were often heard singing it as they approached their harbours in the time of storm. As the hymn was set to a weird minor tune, I decided to compose one that would be more practical, one that could be more easily sung by the people."  And so, thanks to Charlesworth and Sankey, we have this wonderful hymn which has been a favorite and a help to thousands over the past century.  Now I don't know what storm you might be going through today. It might seem hopeless and devastating. I know that I am facing one right now and that might be why the Lord led me to this hymn this week.  I would encourage you to put your trust and confidence in the Lord today.  He will be your strength, defense and shelter in the toughest  of storms.  He will be a Rock in a truly weary land.  Our shelter in the time of storm.  Meditate on these words this week and claim them as your hope and confidence.

1      The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

2     A Shade by day, Defense by night,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

No fears alarm, no foes affright,

A Shelter in the time of storm. 

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

3      The raging storms may round us beat,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

We'll never leave our safe retreat,

A Shelter in the time of storm. 

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

4      O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Be Thou our Helper ever near,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

Listen to this hymn here.   LISTEN