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My paternal ancestors came to America from Europe in the 1700s, and settled just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hanging on the wall of my childhood home is a faded-with-time land survey of our property, signed by William Penn, and dated 1773… that’s before the Declaration of Independence was even signed!
Our house was a red brick century home built by my great-great-great-something-or-other back in 1830 to replace the log cabin that had burnt down. It’s the same house my father grew up in. And his father. And so on. It’s a cool old house, built to endure fire and high winds, with six-brick-thick door frames.
My siblings and I played on acres of wide-open spaces and hid in great hiding places. You see, we also had an old barn. A virtual kid’s recreational candy shop. That barn was our exclusive clubhouse and our neighborhood basketball court.
Though our old farmhouse had some interesting nooks and crannies we could sneak off to, the barn was the perfect place to hide when you needed to get away. When I needed a break from my older brother, older sister, younger brother or younger sister, I’d go to the barn.
It was a quiet place. I could think there. It was a safe shelter from sibling squabbles. My personal place of rest and refuge.
In Psalm 32, David said the LORD was his hiding place in times of trouble.
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD ” – and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:5-7).
I don’t have a barn anymore. And even if I did, my hiding place has changed forms. It’s no longer a physical place, but a spiritual place.
It is no longer a where but a Whom.
The Lord is my hiding place. He’s dangerously holy, yet safe and approachable.
I love the picture the psalmist paints of God as One we can run to when life gets hard. He’s a Strong Tower. A Shelter in times of trouble.
Got any troubles?
Yeah, me too.
The good news is we don’t need to bear our burdens alone. Rising waters won’t reach us because we have a sacred, secure shelter that we can run to. A hiding place. A loving God who will not only protect us but sing loving songs of deliverance.
“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Will you trust Jesus as your hiding place today?
Dear Lord, Thanks for welcoming me into Your presence by the grace of Jesus. (Pause for a moment of confession here.) I lay my troubles at Your feet and trust You as my hiding place. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What trouble are you facing today? Have you experienced the safety of God’s shelter in the past?
Read Psalm 31 and 32, then post a prayer of response on the wall of my blog!
Love you guys!!
GWEN
Comments 7
Thank you for the beautiful perspective of a hiding place. Many days lately I have needed a true hiding place from trouble. Jesus you are my true hiding place in the storm of conflict and discord. You are the peace I need in the middle of the waves of the sea crashing over me. Thank you for your love and protection. Keep me in your peace .
Sometimes I just want to get away…not permanently…there’s so much going on with my family…I know God’s my stronghold and hiding place…so many promises…we live in a very isolated place…only accessible by small planes…I’m grateful for the devotionals you share because they’re always right when I need them ❤️…
Yes God you are my hiding through my troubles with this relationship I’m holding on tight to you as I feel him trying to tear me down break his heart for what break yours god have your way with him and me! I trust you completely you are my hiding place💔
I am unsure of something. Jesus said we will have troubles. Knowing that and the fact that I have had troubles , am I still to believe that if I go to God with them, then they won’t happen. If I put all my faith in him, will everything be alright. I am asking for prayer for my granddaughter who has to go for test. I am confused and very frightened.
I am praying for your granddaughter’s tests. Jesus did say that I’m this world we have troubles, but He has overcome the world. Even though we go through hard things, Jesus suffered and died on the cross, and rose again. When we place our trust in him, we have salvation and the hope of eternal life in heaven. We also receive the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. I am praying that your granddaughter is well, and that you will have peace in Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word of encouragement to continue my journey to find me and my purpose as a widow. I know your grace and mercy is new every morning. I. Seek your peace and open my mind and heart to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name
Amen
Dear Father God…
I’m asking for your strength to leave my “back-pack” of sins at Jesus feet and never look back at that mess again!
I’m relying on your guidance and love to continue my “race” with Jesus, just enough ahead of me, to be my team leader to help me if I slip off the path.
Continue to be my strength and stay, my Shepherd…..
Amen