Sheltered by God’s Presence

Where do you go when bad times come? Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel like the end is near? Do you sometimes feel one step away from doom?

You are not alone. Literally. The child of God is never abandoned. God is always near His children.

God is your shelter in the storm

Writing in Bible Studies for Life, Philip Nation says, “We’ve all experienced the pain of an unexpected crisis. When it happens, we scramble for shelter. We need something to cover us in the midst of the storm. The good news is that no matter what you’re facing, God is present. He doesn’t offer some sterile room as a shelter during your storms. He is the shelter. His presence with us is the only thing that can make sense of this life.”1

God is your comfort in the storm

One of the most comforting passages in scripture is also one of the most well known. The 23rd Psalm has comforted many an anxious follower of Jesus. No stress exists in this life that cannot be alleviated by the reading of David’s beautiful, inspired poem.

• Through shepherding imagery we are assured we will lack nothing because the LORD is our shepherd.
• We are assured of rest in green pastures, a refreshment beside still waters.
• We are promised a renewed life. God leads us along paths where He would have us go for the sake of His own name.
• We are promised His presence when we walk through the darkest valley. His presence is all we need when danger is near. We need not fear whatever we face. It is God Himself who comforts us.
• We are blessed abundantly with all we need: food, oil, and drink.
• The goodness and faithful love of God will pursue us all throughout life, and God’s house will be our house as long as we live.

The presence of God has long been a promise to those who follow Him. This presence is not mere wordplay; it’s more than a metaphor.

God’s presence is your shelter in the storm

Instead, God’s presence is a strong and real comfort to His children.

Psalm 46:11- “Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.”

Isaiah 43:2- “I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.”

Matthew 28:20b- “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”2

Before He returned to the right hand of the Father, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit who would “come to us.”

God is with us

One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us.” He is with you now and at all times in all situations.

Following Jesus is more than a slovenly pilgrimage in a barren land. It is the promise that wherever we are, and through whatever challenges we face, God is with us. He does not fail. He does not abandon. He does not quit. He is with us in every trial and every valley. When the shadows are all around, even to the point of covering the way, remember: there are no shadows without Light.

God is with us. He is with us always.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention

References
1- Bible Studies for Life, Storm Shelter, Philip Nation
2- All scriptures from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.