God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. -Psalms 46:1-7
Every kid needs a fort. I was reminded of this truth when our family brought down our decorations from the attic. There were boxes for outside decorations and boxes for inside. We brought the boxes into the living room. It did not take long for my youngest daughter to discover these boxes. With the help of a blanket and a pillow, she quickly made a new fort. Soon, she was in her new hiding place with all the toys she needed.
Molly had so much fun in her make-shift stronghold. She felt invisible to us as we worked around her. It gave her a wonderful moment of peace and joy. I was reminded of all the forts I built as a kid. In my mind they were great citadels, capable of keeping the entire world locked outside. They were simply blankets, pillows and few old boxes.
Thinking of these hiding places we build as children; I am mindful of the language so often used to describe Our God. The psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Children and adults alike need a place of safety and solace. We need someone who gives us shelter from the troubles and the trials of this world. No house, no castle, no mountain can provide the shelter that the Most High can provide.
We know that pillows, blankets, and boxes do not provide the peace that we so often seek. We know that the God who loves us, who calls us His children does. Therefore, we look to God in prayer, in study, and in worship. In the presence of God, we find a place to hide, a place to fill secure. In the comfort of God, we find strength to let our imaginations come to life and to live life to the full. In the shelter of our King, we are comforted and blessed.
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
