The arrows fly, ten thousand fall
Still, You protect me through it all
The waters rise, the oceans rage
Still, You’re the One the storm obeys

From the opening notes, the song Shelter by Vertical Worship caught my attention. They speak of  the reality of God’s presence in the face of the chaos of life. Often our lives are filled with stress and anxiety, with busyness and exhaustion, and in those times it can be difficult to remember where we can find safety, comfort and shelter.

In the shelter of Your presence
In the shadow of Your wings
I am safe, I am safe
I will hold onto Your promise
You will not abandon me
I am safe, I am safe

I love the image of the very presence of God being our shelter, because that means that no matter where we are in life, no matter what is going on, we have constant access to shelter. There is never a time where we are not under the shadow of the wings of God. I hope that when you read, or listen to, the line “I will hold onto Your promise” you think of all the promises of God. The promise that we will never be alone. The promise that we can take heart because Christ has overcome it all. The promise is that we will never be forsaken or forgotten. That neither stress or heartache, fear or pride, anxiety or complacency, can separate us from the love of God.

To You, I run when mountains shake
You are my shield, my hiding place
Almighty God, I will draw near
Your perfect love casts out all fear

Currently the mountains in my life are shaking not with fear or distress, but with overwhelming change and excitement. My fiance and I are in the home stretch of our engagement and are busy putting the finishing touches on our wedding. We are both incredibly excited for our wedding day and for the beginning of our adventure as a married couple. This season, though joyful, is still full of stress, positive and wonderful stress, but still stress. In that, I greatly need God as my hiding place. A place to process all that I am feeling and thinking and dealing with. I need a place to think about everything that has happened, to be thankful for all the love and support that has been shown to me.

In the shelter of Your presence
In the shadow of Your wings
I am safe, I am safe
I will hold onto Your promise
You will not abandon me
I am safe, I am safe

No matter what season of life we are in, if we are being overwhelmed by fear and anxiety or processing through a multitude of exciting change, we can find our safety, comfort and shelter in our God. Whose very presence is our shelter.

In the shelter of Your presence
In the shadow of Your wings
I am safe, I am safe
I will hold onto Your promise
You will not abandon me
I am safe, I am safe